House panel OKs Office of the President's proposed 2027 budget

The House Committee on Appropriations on Tuesday quickly approved the proposed P10.15 billion budget of the Office of the President (OP) for fiscal year 2027.

This came after the panel, voting 37 in the affirmative and 5 negative, "extended institutional and inter-branch courtesy" to the OP and terminated further discussions and interpellations on its proposed 2027 budget. Approval was granted in less than 20 minutes.

The ruling was announced by House appropriations committee Senior Vice Chairperson Representative Albert Garcia.

House Minority Leader Representative Marcelino Libanan of 4Ps party-list initially made the motion to extend interparliamentary courtesy to the office of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., subject to the manifestations of some House members.

This was echoed by House Senior Deputy Speaker Ferdinand Hernandez of South Cotabato.

ACT Teachers Party-list Rep Antonio Tinio, however, objected to the motions, as he argued that the OP should answer questions regarding the flood control mess and its confidential and intelligence funds.

"Ang gusto ng taumbayan ay transparency. Kailangan patas, dapat patas ang Kongresong ito sa application ng prinsipyo ng transparency. Lakas maka-demand ng Kongresong ito ng transparency para sa Office of the Vice President, dapat ganoon din para sa Office of the President," Tinio said.

(The people want transparency. We should be fair. This Congress must be fair in applying the principle of transparency. This Congress is quick to demand transparency from the Office of the Vice President, it should do the same for the Office of the President.)

Under the 2027 National Expenditure Program (NEP), the OP is seeking a total of P10,155,758,000 budget, about 64% lower than the 2026 budget.

Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said the substantial reduction reflected the "lower operational requirements of [the OP's] delivery units and the completion of activities related to the Philippines' hosting of the ASEAN Summit for which no additional funding will be required next year."

"In short, we're asking for less while remaining fully prepared to do more. We believe this amount is sufficient for the Presidency to meet the exacting demands of leading the nation at a time of overlapping domestic and external challenges," Recto said in his presentation.

The OP's proposed 2027 budget is now deemed submitted for plenary consideration of the House of Representatives.

Prior to the voting, Garcia explained that House members' questions, clarifications, and suggestions regarding the OP's proposed budget will be answered "either here or at the plenary where we will have a wider platform for everyone to witness." — VDV, GMA News