House panel OKs sharply reduced 2027 budget for President's office

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations has approved a proposed budget for the Office of the President for 2027, significantly reduced from its initial P10.15 billion proposal. The committee approved the P10,155,758,000 budget with 37 affirmative and five negative votes. According to Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, the proposed budget represents only 0.14% of the total P7.2 trillion budget proposal for 2027 and is a 64% decrease compared to the 2026 budget. Recto stated that the reduction reflects lower operating costs following the completion of activities related to the Philippines' hosting of the ASEAN Summit. "In short, we are asking for less, while remaining fully prepared to do more," Recto said. However, some lawmakers raised concerns about transparency. House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan argued that the Office of the President, like the Office of the Vice President, should be held to the same transparency standards. He specifically questioned why nearly half of the budget is allocated to confidential and intelligence funds. Lawmakers who voted against the budget cited the need for transparency and accountability. In Philippine politics, the budget of the Office of the President is typically viewed as crucial for national governance. While the current reduction is attributed to the conclusion of the ASEAN Summit, demands for transparency in the budget execution of government agencies remain a consistent point of discussion in the Philippines.