MANILA, Nov. 20 -- House of Representatives Deputy Minority Leader, Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Rep. Leila De Lima, and other Liberal Party (LP) lawmakers on Thursday called for an open and transparent bicameral conference committee.

De Lima said an open and transparent bicam is crucial toward implementing genuine budget reform and restoring public trust.

"Amid the corruption issues hounding the passage of previous national budgets - made worse by the secretive nature of the Bicameral Conference Committee where controversial insertions are allegedly made - implementing an open and transparent bicam is long overdue. It is not optional. It is non-negotiable," the lawmakers' joint statement said.

According to the House LP bloc, full bic...