lilJ:iTEENTH CONGRESS OJ:! THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S. B. No. 2185 
Introduced by SenatorTEOFISTO JJTG" GUINGONA III 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The people have the right to be informed on matters of public concern. It is one 
of the basic rights afforded and guaranteed by no less than the Philippine Constitution. 
Pursuant to this and subject to reasonable conditions prescribed by law, the State 
should therefore always endeavor to adopt and implement a policy of full disclosure of 
all its transactions involving public interest especially those matters that go into the 
very fiber of government operations and have the most impact on the lives of every 
citizen - matters like those pertaining to the appropriation of the national budget and 
the expenditure of public funds. 
Verily, where and as to what purpose the members of the Legislative 
Department plan to spend public funds are matters of public concern. It is but proper 
that the public be afforded the opportunity to be informed of and to take part in the 
entire budget process. 
The practice therefore of the Legislative Department of holding a closed-door 
bicameral meeting when discussing the national budget not only contravenes this 
nation's basic tenets of public accountability and transparency but is also contrary to 
logic. There is no rhyme or reason why the bicameral meeting must be conducted 
behind closed doors. The whole process of budget appropriation and allocation is for 
naught if in the end, it is but a handful of people who decide whose budget will be cut 
and whose budget will be augmented, 
It is about time that the practice of holding a closed-door bicameral meeting on 
the national budget be stopped and make it mandatory for these sessions or meetings to 
be conducted in an open and transparent manner and therefore subject to public 
scrutiny. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate enactment of this measure is earnestly 
sought. 
Senator 


fifTEENTH CONGRESS 01' THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 2185 
Introduced by Senator TEOFISTO "TG" GUINGONA III 
AN ACT 
MANDATING THAT THE BICAMERAL MEETING ON THE NATIONAL 
BUDGET BE CONDUCTED IN AN OPEN AND TRANSPARENT MANNER, AND 
FOR OTHER PURPOSES. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
1 
SECTioN 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Transparent Budget 
2 
Bicameral Meeting Act of 2010". 
3 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
4 
formulate and implement a national budget that is within the framework of 
5 
accountability, transparency, stability, performance and participation. The State shall 
6 
ensure the right of the people to be informed where and how their money will be spent, 
7 
with the end goal on ensuring the citizenry's and the nation's progress and 
8 
development. 
9 
SEC. 3. Conduct of the Bicameral Meeting on Budget. - The Committee on 
10 
Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the . 
11 
Senate of the Philippines shall comply with the following rules in the conduct of the 
12 
bicameral meetings on the national budget: 
13 
(1) The sessions and meetings shall be open to the public. The schedule and 
14 
venue for each session or meeting shall be published on the web sites of 
1 


1 
,both houses of Congress, in two (2) top major newspapers and two (2) 
2 
tabloids, in terms of readership. 
3 
(2) The sessions and meetings shall be recorded and the official minutes of 
4 
the deliberations shall be made immediately available to the public. The 
5 
record of the minutes of the deliberations shall immediately be posted on 
6 
the website of both houses of Congress and published in two (2) top major 
7 
newspapers and two (2) tabloids, in terms of readership. 
8 
(3) Private citizens, representatives of civil society organizations, and other 
9 
interested groups may be invited to be present in and be allowed to 
10 
observe the meetings and sessions of the bicameral conference committee. 
11 
(4) The media shall be invited to the meetings and sessions of the bicameral 
12 
conference committee. 
13 
SEC. 4. Amendments to the Proposed Budget. - In cases where amendments to 
14 
the proposed budget are introduced or requested by a member of either Senate or 
15 
House of Representatives, such amendments shall be referenced via a footnote that 
16 
indicates the author of the proposed amendments, the date on which the amendments 
17 
were proposed, and a brief explanation for the request or proposal. 
18 
SEC. 5. Separability. - If, for any reason, any section or provision of this Act is 
19 
held unconstitutional or invalid, no other section or provision shall be affected. 
20 
SEC. 6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and 
21 
regulations, issuances or any part thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act 
22 
are hereby repealed or amended accordingly. 
23 
SEC. 7. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication 
24 
in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
2 


Approved, 
3