The Senate Committee on Finance swiftly endorsed the proposed more than ₱10-billion budget of the Office of the President (OP), Presidential Management Staff (PMS), and attached agencies for fiscal year 2027 during its hearing on Wednesday, September 30.
The hearing was conducted under the committee led by Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito. The Senate’s Budget Transparency Portal lists the briefing for the OP and PMS at 4 p.m. on September 30.
Before Executive Secretary Ralph Recto could formally present the Palace’s proposed budget, Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian moved for its approval, citing the upcoming 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, which the Philippines will host in Metro Manila from November 16 to 18. The dates have been declared special non-working days in the National Capital Region.
“We welcome our colleagues from the Office of the President. At alam ko napaka-busy sila dahil sa ASEAN na padating na,” Gatchalian said.
He noted the significance of the upcoming summit, saying it would be “a very big event for our country” as the Philippines hosts ASEAN heads of state and other leaders.
Gatchalian also cited what he described as the usual “inter-parliamentary courtesy” extended to the Office of the President, as well as an “inter-senator courtesy” because Recto is a former senator.
“Dahil ang head ay isang former or inter-colleague courtesy dahil ang executive secretary ay dati nating kasamahan na nandito sa side dati na tinatanongin sa kabilang side,” Gatchalian said.
He then moved for the approval of the OP budget even before Recto’s presentation.
“So after the presentation, Mr. Chairman, I'll move for the approval of the budget of the Office of the President. Thank you.”
Senators Joel Villanueva and Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan supported the motion.
The proposed 2027 OP budget is around ₱10.15 billion, substantially lower than the ₱28.03-billion appropriation for 2026, largely due to the completion of projects associated with the Philippines’ hosting of ASEAN 2026.
