Support for Sen. Bam Aquino’s call for vigilance during the bicameral conference committee deliberations on the P1.38-trillion education fund in the 2026 national budget has snowballed, drawing backing from various musicians, comedians, and artists.
Among them were actor Edu Manzano, stand-up comedian Alex Calleja, rapper Pio Balbuena, hip-hop band Morobeats, , artist Andrea Guevarra, and Drag Race Philippines winner Brigiding.
In a statement on his Facebook page, Edu said heightened vigilance is necessary to protect the budget from corruption and questionable projects.
“LIVESTREAM ANG BICAM. Ilang tulog na lang bago Pasko, ang Christmas wish ko: huwag bawasan yung education budget ni Senator Bam! #EdukasyonHindiKorapsyon,” he posted.
“Monitor natin ‘to. Kung may dapat tutukan sa pondo ng bayan, bantayan ang budget para sa edukasyon ni Senator Bam! Huwag hayaan mabawasan sa darating na bicam,” Alex commented, sharing a post from Senator Bam’s Facebook page highlighting his call for vigilance.
“Tinupad ni Sen. Bam yung Diskarte at diploma! 1.3 TRILLION BUDGET SA EDUKASYON, 65 BILLION PARA SA MGA CLASSROOM. babantayan na lang natin yan para di magka istapahan, pampaaral ng tambay,” Pio said on Facebook.
Andrea called on her family, friends, and followers to monitor the bicam’s livestream, saying it is an opportunity for them to ensure the education budget remains intact.
“Ngayong December 11, papasok na sa final stage ang budget for education sa BICAM at first time itong ililivestream in our history. Sa public schools, kulang ang classrooms, kulang ang kagamitan, kulang ang suporta. Kasama rin dito ang budget para sa Libreng Kolehiyo.. Libreng tuition at miscellaneous fees ng 5.7M students, at dagdag allowance para sa 1.5M students,” she said.
“Para sa millions of students who rely on the public education system, every peso truly matters. At ang BICAM ang last window para makita kung mababawasan o hindi ang budget na para sa kanila. Let’s show up. Watch. Bantayan natin ang budget sa edukasyon. Para sa kabataan. Para sa kinabukasan. Edukasyon, hindi korapsyon,” she added.
Morobeats, for its part, underscored the need to protect the education budget to maintain the P65 billion fund for classroom construction.
“May mahigit na 65 billion na budget para sa edukasyon! Huwag hayaan na mabawasan at bantayan natin yung para sa mga anak natin!” it said.
“Malapit na mag 2026. National Budget!!! Please wag magic-in ang pondo ng bayan, protektahan ang budget para sa edukasyon, bantayan natin kasama ni @bamaquino,” Bridiging posted on her X account.
The bicameral conference committee, or simply bicam, is a small group of senators and representatives tasked with reconciling differences between the Senate and House versions of a bill.
While its intention is noble, the word bicam has become synonymous with hidden agendas and illegal or questionable insertions, especially when the anomalous flood control projects were exposed.
The Senate will livestream the bicam for the proposed 2026 national budget, giving citizens, media, and civil society organizations a unique opportunity to monitor the proceedings and see firsthand how their hard-earned money is allocated and utilized.
