BUDGET HEARING. Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin attends the House Appropriations Committee hearing on the Office of the President’s proposed budget for 2025 on Monday (Sept. 9, 2024). Bersamin said the Office of the President will fully cooperate with Congress for it to be able to fulfill its constitutional mandate as the keeper of the purse and maintain a cooperative relationship with its co-equal branch of government. (Screengrab)
MANILA – The House appropriations committee swiftly terminated the proposed 2025 budget of the Office of the President (OP) on Monday.
It took the House panel less than 20 minutes to tackle the OP's proposed budget for next year amounting to PHP10.5 billion, down 1.88 percent from this year's budget.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, in his speech, stressed that the OP will fully cooperate with Congress to be able to fulfill its constitutional mandate as the keeper of the purse and maintain a cooperative relationship with its "co-equal" branch of government.
"Our attendance here as a delegation from the Office of the President is not merely for purposes of compliance with the legal requirement to present our proposed budget for a co-equal branch, upon which the power to appropriate is conferred by the Constitution. Most important, we are here as a manifestation of the President's commitment to honor and respect the Congress as our partner in upholding the country's national interest as well as in promoting the welfare of our people," Bersamin said.
"I am taking this opportunity, your Honors, to convey the President's view on our existing legislative relations which is anchored on the principle that governance will be significantly improved through the efforts of our branches, to work alongside each other with utmost respect for each other's mandate," he added.
Bersamin said the proposed budget, though reduced, would be "sufficient and adequate" to support President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s responsibilities as the head of state and of government, the chief architect of Philippine foreign policy and the commander-in-chief.
"We have determined that the reduction in the budget being proposed will not affect the delivery of services by the President to the people," he said.
Bersamin also noted that despite the reduction, the OP anticipates that the budget will cover its activities.
"More meetings will still be conducted, more presidential public engagements will still be held, the Cabinet will still be convened as often, if not oftener, the consultations in Malacañang befitting its role as the policy center will still be constant and regular. However, these activities will be conducted and held economically, mindful of the need to provide quality services for the people with less financial requirement in support of the Bagong Pilipinas (New Philippines) brand of governance," he said.
He said the budget adjustment would still accommodate the logistical requirements of honoring the invitations of foreign leaders to visit their countries, as well as diplomatic initiatives which would yield job creating investments that will hasten support for the country's post-pandemic economic recovery.
The budget, Bersamin said, would also sufficiently support the implementation of the necessary infrastructure works within the Palace complex that have stalled due to the pandemic in line with the Build Better More priority program, as well as to safeguard the "overall security of all those who work hard for the attainment of the objectives of the presidency."
"These projects are all implementation ready and shall be completed within the fiscal year in accordance with the cash-based budgeting policy," Bersamin said.
He highlighted that the OP's budget was crafted within the parameters and process set by the Department of Budget and Management as in the previous years.
Following the presentation, Abra Rep. Ching Bernos moved to terminate the OP's budget discussions, citing parliamentary courtesy.
"As part of the longstanding tradition and practice of the House of Representatives and committee on appropriations to extend parliamentary courtesy to the Office of the President and in recognition of its distinguished role and significance in government, I move that we terminate the budget hearing of the budget of the President," Bernos said.
Bernos' motion was approved despite objections from the Makabayan bloc, with 48 voting in favor of terminating the briefing and only three voting against it.
Vital role
Meanwhile, House Appropriations committee chairperson and Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co cited the OP's vital role in national governance.
In a statement, Co acknowledged OP's “critical duty” to coordinate and oversee the implementation of policies and programs under the Marcos administration.
He also stressed OP's unique position as the highest executive authority and its responsibility for the daily administration of government, execution of laws and protection of national interests.
Co noted the alignment between OP's efforts in promoting economic stability, inclusive growth, and citizen welfare with the administration's strategic agenda.
“The proposed budget would enable the OP to continue its essential work in policy formulation and safeguarding national interests,” he said. (With a report from Jose Cielito Reganit/PNA)
