P10.16-B Presidential Budget Approved Amid Transparency Debate

THE House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations on Tuesday granted parliamentary courtesy to the Office of the President (OP), cutting short deliberations on its proposed P10.156-billion budget for 2027 even as some lawmakers called for greater scrutiny of Palace spending. The move drew objections from minority lawmakers during the budget hearing, who said Congress should not waive its opportunity to question the proposed budget amid concerns over confidential and intelligence funds, the flood control controversy, and other government spending issues. Party-list Rep. Antonio L. Tinio said that the same standard of transparency applied to the Office of the Vice-President should also be imposed on the OP. “What the citizens want is transparency,” Mr. Tinio said in Filipino. “This Congress must be fair; it needs to be fair in applying the principle of transparency.” Lawmakers should be given the opportunity to ask the Palace about its involvement in the flood control controversy and its use of confidential and intelligence funds. During the same hearing, Executive Secretary Ralph G. Recto told lawmakers that the proposed budget was sufficient for the OP to perform its constitutional duties amid domestic and external challenges. The 10.156-billion allocation is 64% lower than the previous year’s level, which Mr. Recto attributed to lower operational requirements and the completion of activities related to the Philippines’ hosting of the ASEAN summit. “In short, we’re asking for less while remaining fully prepared,” he said. Mr. Recto also emphasized fiscal discipline, saying that every peso should produce a public benefit. Party-list Rep. Renee Louise M. Co also opposed parliamentary courtesy, saying Congress should fully examine the OP’s proposed spending as part of its power of the purse. “The public treasury is not the personal property of Malacañang,” Ms. Co said in Filipino. Speaking to reporters after the hearing, Mr. Recto defended the confidential and intelligence funds, saying it makes up “a little less than half” of the OP’s proposed budget, citing the President’s roles as chief executive, head of state, commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and head of national security. — Pexcel John Bacon