Metro Manila, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s proposed P10.5-billion budget for his office in 2025 breezed through a House panel on Monday, Sept. 9, despite objections from Makabayan lawmakers.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin presented the Office of the President’s (OP) budget highlighting a lower amount by 1.88% from the current P10.7 billion.“We believe that the proposed amount will be sufficient and adequate for the president to meet the exacting demands of being the head of state and government, the chief architect of the country’s foreign policy, and the commander-in-chief,” Bersamin said in his introduction.The majority of the budget—75.72%—is for maintenance and other operating expenses, with 12.70% for personnel services and 11.58% for capital outlay.On the other hand, Makabayan lawmakers, including Kabataan party-list Representative Raoul Manuel, ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro and Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas opposed the proposal.“I object dahil sabi po ng presidente lahat ng government agencies undergo the same process during budget deliberations bilang sagot sa Office of the Vice President. So, kung ganon at i-terminate natin ang budget deliberations, we are affirming ang pagiging brat ng vice president and pinapalabas natin na nagsisinungaling ang president,” Manuel said.Navotas Rep. and budget sponsor Toby Tiangco said the motion to terminate the deliberations did not imply dishonesty on the president’s part.“We have to delete that portion that there will be pagsisinungaling (lying) if we follow the tradition. Everything that is acted in this committee is voted upon by the majority,” Tiangco responded.A vote was called on the motion to terminate the budget deliberations, with 48 lawmakers in favor and only three against.“Gusto po naming makapagsalita, makapagtanong dahil may mga crucial po kaming tanong tungkol sa foreign policy, Quiboloy issue, at unprogrammed funds,” Brosas emphasized.
