More than P89-B MPBF fund sought by Marcos admin

The Marcos administration has proposed over P89 billion for the Miscellaneous Personnel Benefits Fund (MPBF) in 2023.

As indicated in the National Expenditure Program 2023, the government is seeking P89,041,479,000 for the MPBF, which will be utilized "for the payment of miscellaneous personnel benefits to or on behalf of national government officials and employees."

Its special provisions include the payment of personnel benefits, which "shall be used for deficiencies in authorized salaries, bonuses, allowances, associated premiums, and other similar personnel benefits of National Government personnel, including Personnel Services requirements for the filling and creation of positions as may be authorized by law, the President of the Philippines, or the DBM (Department of Budget and Management.)

A legal defense fund, on the other hand, is allocated to have P200 million. The amount, according to NEP 2023, will be used for actual expenses, including payment of premiums for posting of bail bonds and cash advance for expense of officials and employees of department, bureaus, and offices, in relation to the defense of administrative, civil, or criminal cases filed against them in courts for acts committed in the performance of their actual functions.

Under the proposed budget, a total of P65,306,448,000 is allotted for Funding Requirements for Staffing Modifications and Upgrading of Salaries while P13,259,139,000 was allocated for Funding Requirements for the Filling Up of Unfilled Positions.

The more than P89 billion proposed MPBF fund is higher compared to the over P27 billion that was allocated in 2022.

GMA News Online has asked the Office of the Press Secretary and the Department of Budget and Management regarding the huge leap of budget and as to where Malacañang intends to spend the amount.

Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said: "No information pa po. Will get back to you as soon as we can." — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ, GMA News