Senator Jinggoy Estrada has unexpectedly withdrawn his membership from the bicameral conference committee tasked with reconciling the divergent provisions of the proposed National Budget. The announcement was confirmed by Senate Majority Leader Migz Zubiri, just as the crucial phase of budget deliberation is set to begin.
The bicameral conference committee, often referred to as the “bicam,” is a vital legislative body. Its primary function is to resolve any conflicts or discrepancies between the versions of a bill—in this case, the General Appropriations Bill (GAB), which details the national budget—as passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives. This reconciliation process is essential to produce a single, unified bill that both chambers can ratify before being presented to the President for enactment. The withdrawal of a member, especially at this late stage, introduces an unexpected wrinkle into the timeline.
Senator Estrada, who was appointed as a bicam conferee due to his position as a chairperson or vice-chairperson of a Senate Finance subcommittee, did not provide a reason for his withdrawal. His absence means the Senate needs to quickly name a replacement to ensure the committee’s work proceeds smoothly. Bicameral conferees typically include key members of the Senate Finance Committee, such as the chairperson and vice-chairpersons of its subcommittees.
Had he stayed, Senator Estrada would have joined a powerful Senate contingent. The initial lineup of Senate bicam members included: Senator Win Gatchalian (chairperson), Senator JV Ejercito, Senator Loren Legarda, Senator Kiko Pangilinan, Senator Mark Villar, Senator Pia Cayetano, Senator Erwin Tulfo, Senator Camille Villar, Senator Bato dela Rosa, Senator Bong Go, and Senator Imee Marcos. This group holds the immense responsibility of finalizing the government’s spending plan for the coming year.
The legislative timeline is tight. The target date for the ratification of the proposed National Budget is December 22. Following ratification by both the Senate and the House, the final unified bill will be transmitted to Malacañang. The ultimate goal is to secure the signature of President Bongbong Marcos before the year concludes, ensuring the government operates under a new, fully funded budget from January 1. Any delay in the bicameral negotiations could jeopardize this tight schedule.
The Senate leadership must now swiftly address the vacancy left by Senator Estrada’s withdrawal to maintain momentum towards the ratification deadline. The nation awaits the finalized budget, which is critical for government operations, infrastructure projects, and social services.