Senate panel approves OP budget in less than 10 minutes

By Wilnard Bacelonia, Philippine News Agency

Bersamin also assured that President Marcos is ready to closely work with the Senate “in upholding our mutual objective of promoting the welfare of our people and the country’s national interests.” (File photo: Senate of the Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA – The proposed 2025 budget of the Office of the President (OP) is “deemed submitted” to the Senate plenary after being approved by the Committee on Finance in less than 10 minutes of deliberation on Monday.

Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada moved for the approval of the PHP10.5 billion proposed budget of the OP, emphasizing that it is crucial in representing the midterm budget that will help President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to effectively continue his programs.

“Halfway towards the culmination of his term, the President should be provided with budget that will enable us to achieve our goals, particularly those asserted in the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028,” Estrada said.

The President, he said, has started several programs for the development of the economy, agriculture, livelihood, health, and education which should be continued to help more Filipinos.

“Marapat lamang na ipagpatuloy ang masigasig na pagpapatupad ng mga ito at ang masusing pangangasiwa at koordinasyon ng iba’t ibang kagawaran ng pamahalaan (It is only appropriate to continue the diligent implementation of these programs, and the thorough supervision and coordination of the various government departments),” Estrada said, emphasizing that it is the Senate’s duty to support this commitment by approving the proposed budget.

Senator Grace Poe, who presided over the deliberations, acknowledged that some agencies under the Office of the President, such as the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission, have helped in the anti-crime initiatives, especially with illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators.

“The President has created the new Presidential Office for Child Protection and I think it’s high time for that, and many of us are very grateful to protect our children, the most vulnerable in society,” Poe said.

In his presentation, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin noted that despite a reduction of 1.88 percent compared to the previous year, the proposed budget aims to meet the demands of the President’s role as head of state, chief architect of foreign policy, and commander-in-chief.

He said the budget will support essential services, policy directions, and diplomatic initiatives to attract job-creating investments for post-pandemic recovery.

Bersamin also assured that President Marcos is ready to closely work with the Senate “in upholding our mutual objective of promoting the welfare of our people and the country’s national interests.”

“Your Honors, the President values the cooperation between our branches in the fulfillment of our common goal of development; thus, the Office of the President will fully cooperate with the Congress in its exercise of its constitutional mandate as the keeper of the purse,” he said.

Infrastructure projects within the Palace Complex, aligned with the Build Better More program of the Marcos Administration, will also be supported by the proposed budget, according to Bersamin.