MANILA, Dec. 22 -- The House of Representatives, led by Speaker Faustino "Bojie" G. Dy III, on Monday suspended its session ahead of the Christmas break after sealing major legislative breakthroughs, highlighted by the approval of the PHP6.793-trillion 2026 national budget through the country's first open and livestreamed bicameral conference committee.

The developments capped a year marked by institutional reforms, priority legislation and modernization efforts, as lawmakers moved to lock in the budget and advance key measures before Congress adjourned for the holidays.

In his closing speech, Dy said the conclusion of the bicameral negotiations marked a turning point for transparency in the budget process.

"This was the first open bic...