NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
Senators Gear Up For No-Weekend Break As 2026 Budget Talks Go Full Speed
Photo credit: Senate PH
Senate President Vicente Sotto III confirmed on Tuesday that lawmakers are going all in to wrap up the 2026 national budget, as the bicameral conference committee will push through from December 12 to 14 — including Saturday and Sunday.
In chats with reporters on the Senate press Viber group, Sotto clarified that the tight three-day schedule was agreed upon earlier, even if it means giving up the weekend.
“Yes. ’Yun ang usapan kanina. Work on weekend,” Sotto said, addressing questions on whether the bicam would extend beyond regular workdays.
According to Sotto, this will be the first time the budget bicam won’t have a weekend break — a move meant to ensure the final spending bill is completed, printed, and ratified before Congress goes on holiday break on December 23.
He explained that lawmakers plan to ratify the enrolled bill itself, not just a summary of the bicam report, which requires extra time for printing and verification.
Sotto also assured reporters that the Senate will open a media gallery and livestream for the proceedings, with instructions already given to finalize preparations before the budget talks kick off on Thursday.
In chats with reporters on the Senate press Viber group, Sotto clarified that the tight three-day schedule was agreed upon earlier, even if it means giving up the weekend.
“Yes. ’Yun ang usapan kanina. Work on weekend,” Sotto said, addressing questions on whether the bicam would extend beyond regular workdays.
According to Sotto, this will be the first time the budget bicam won’t have a weekend break — a move meant to ensure the final spending bill is completed, printed, and ratified before Congress goes on holiday break on December 23.
He explained that lawmakers plan to ratify the enrolled bill itself, not just a summary of the bicam report, which requires extra time for printing and verification.
Sotto also assured reporters that the Senate will open a media gallery and livestream for the proceedings, with instructions already given to finalize preparations before the budget talks kick off on Thursday.
Dec 10, 2025
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