Manila, Philippines – The House Committee on Appropriations held on Monday the budget deliberations for the proposed 2026 budget of the Office of the President (OP), leading to its swift approval.
On Wednesday, the Senate Committee on Finance conducted its version of budget deliberations on the OP’s proposed 2026 budget, with the Executive Secretary representing the President’s Office.
Similar to the House’s, the Senate’s deliberation process was also swift, with the OP’s representatives spending only 10 minutes during their presentation.
The OP reiterated that the majority of the P27.3-billion proposed 2026 funds will be allocated for the Philippines’ hosting of the 2026 ASEAN summit and Related meetings.
Senate Finance Committee Chairperson Senator Sherwin Gatchalian spearheaded the budget deliberations, with his interpolations centering around the preparations, complications, and technicalities of the PH’s ASEAN hosting stint.
OP is seeking for the Senate’s support in their proposed budget, as this will be crucial in the ASEAN 2026 hosting, particularly in terms of security and cybersecurity issues.
Senator Erwin Tulfo seconded the cybersecurity concerns, asking colleagues to consider this in endorsing the OP’s fund.
Tulfo then recommended to grant OP additional funds to support its cybersecurity measures for the ASEAN hosting.
Just soon after, Senate Majority Leader Migz Zubiri motioned for the approval of the OP’s proposed funds, citing tradition of granting courtesy to the offices of the two highest officials of the Philippines.
Tulfo seconded the motion, and without other objections, then approved by Gatchalian as the Finance committee Chair.
To estimate, the Senate’s budget deliberations for the OP’s proposed 2026 budget only lasted at least 30 minutes.—Mia Layaguin, Eurotv News