Senate panel OKs OP’s proposed 2025 budget
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00:00Approval of the budget of the Office of the President often becomes more formality because of the long-standing tradition between the upper chamber and the executive branch.
00:10A tradition that was kept by lawmakers in today's budget hearing, which was greatly appreciated by the President's representative.
00:18Daniel Manalastas tells us more.
00:22The Senate panel quickly gave its nod to the proposed 2025 budget of the Office of the President.
00:29Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin faced the Senators, to whom he emphasized that President Ferdinand R. Marx Jr. values the cooperation between the two branches in fulfillment of a higher and common goal of development.
00:46While this amount is 1.88% lower than the budget of the Office of the President in fiscal year 2024, and represents a mere one-ninth of 1% of the proposed total national budget for fiscal year 2025, we believe that the amount will be enough for the President to meet the exacting demands of being the head of state and of government.
01:14Despite the reduction in the budget being proposed, rest assured, your honors, that the same will not affect the delivery of services of the President to our people.
01:25Because of the inter-parliamentary courtesy, Senators immediately ended the deliberations on the OOPI's budget, and through its support for the Office of the President's P10.5 billion budget.
01:37Many good programs have been started by our President for the development of our economy, agriculture, livelihood, well-being, and education. We can see the benefits it brings to our countrymen, especially those in need.
01:54Meanwhile, during the Ombudsman's budget briefing, Senator Grace Poe asked the agency if the office needs confidential funds.
02:03Have you utilized the $1 million allocation that you had in 2024?
02:08Of course, your honor, we need the $51 million, but as I said, there are other investigating agencies who need this money more than us.
02:23If you can give us the same amount that you gave us last year for 2024, the $1 million, that would be very sufficient for us, your honor.
02:32Aside from the Office of the President and the Ombudsman, the panel also gave its nod to the proposed budget of the Commission on Audit.
02:40Daniel Maralastas from the National TV, for a new and better Philippines.