A committee in the House of Representatives has approved a sharply reduced proposed 2027 budget for the Office of the President, setting the allotment well below the current year’s level. The panel passed the measure quickly and by a wide margin.
The proposed budget of about 10 billion pesos represents a small fraction of the overall national budget and is far lower than the figure for the current year. The reduction drew attention given the office’s prominence.
A handful of lawmakers objected during the deliberations, raising concerns about confidential and intelligence funds that make up a significant share of the proposed amount. Such funds are often the subject of debate because of limited public disclosure.
The Executive Secretary defended the proposed budget during the hearing, explaining the office’s spending plans to the panel. Budget hearings give lawmakers a chance to question officials about how public money will be used.
The proposal now moves further through the legislative process, where it can still be amended before the national budget is finalized. Committee approval is an early step in a longer path to enactment.
Debate over confidential funds has been a recurring theme in recent budget cycles, and the discussion around the president’s office reflects that broader scrutiny.
