Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 12) — The ₱8.2-billion proposed budget of the Office of the President swiftly hurdled the Senate panel hearing on Monday.
Senator Bong Go led the budget hearing which only lasted for 30 minutes and where senators asked no questions.
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Sonny Angara noted that traditionally, the budget of the OP is passed swiftly.
“The debates on the OP and PMS have traditionally been very swift and if there are no other questions, eventually, we would like to move for the termination and the elevation of the budget of the OP and PMS to the plenary with a favorable recommendation and possible augmentation at the proper time,” Angara says.
Angara also said senators supported the possible augmentation of the OP’s budget amid the coronavirus crisis.
“The pandemic, COVID-19 has placed added demands on chief executives and their staff, and has made it difficult to respond in real time. And of course, we in the legislative are here to support as we did in Bayanihan 1 and Bayanihan 2. And if there is added support needed, of course, we will be very supportive, Mr. Chairman,” Angara added.
The OP has a proposed budget of ₱8.238 billion in 2021, lower by about ₱11.29 million than the 2020 budget.
The Travelling Expenses of the OP significantly declined in 2021, from ₱670 million in 2020 to ₱283 million in 2021.
The Confidential Expenses and Intelligence Expenses still got a significant share in the OP’s budget with ₱2.250 billion each.
Meanwhile, during the OP budget hearing, Senate Majority Leader Migz Zubiri asked Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea to certify as urgent the bill giving President Rodrigo Duterte emergency powers to ensure the ease of doing business during a pandemic.
“May request po ako, iyong emergency powers for the ease of doing business, baka pwede icertify. Ipapasa sana namin ni Sen. Bong (Go) this week. This is very good, ito ang hinhingi niya (President Duterte) na kasama ni SP Sotto,” Zubiri says.
[Translation: I have a request, that the emergency powers for the ease of doing business be certified (as urgent). Sen. Go and I would like to pass it this week. This is very good, this what the President is asking, along with SP Sotto.]
Medialdea said he would act on the request.
Go also said the Executive Secretary has given his assurance that the President would certify the bill as urgent.
