Representative Elizaldy Co of Ako Bicol Party List.
THE House Committee on Appropriations, chaired by Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co, on Monday quickly terminated the briefing on the P10.506-billion proposed budget of the Office of the President (OP) for 2025 in a display of parliamentary courtesy to a co-equal branch of the government.
Committee vice chairperson and Abra Rep. Ching Bernos moved to extend to the OP parliamentary courtesy by ending the budget briefing after less than an hour of the hearing, which majority of the 48 committee members approved.
“As part of the long-standing tradition and practice of the House of Representatives and the 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 Office of the President,” Bernos said.
In response to the three Representatives who opposed the motion, OP budget sponsor and Navotas Rep. Tobias Tiangco ruled that the proper forum to question the privilege of inquiry is the plenary session.
Co said the OP as a cornerstone of government plays a pivotal role in managing and coordinating the programs, activities and projects in the executive branch. According to him, this coordination ensures that every policy program and initiative is unified in its purpose and it contributes to the overarching goals of the Marcos administration.
He added that the OP plays a vital role in formulating national policies consistent with the administration’s strategic agenda to promote economic stability, inclusive growth, and the welfare of the Filipino people.
“To fulfill its mandate, the OP is proposing a budget of P10.506-billion to ensure that the essential work of policy formulation, governance oversight and strategic coordination is delivered to its stakeholders, the national government, and the Filipino people. The OP holds a unique and critical role in our system of government. As the highest executive authority, it is tasked with a day-to-day administration of the government, the execution of laws passed by Congress, and the protection of national interest,” Co said.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin considered it an honor for him to appear before the committee to present, explain and above all, seek its members’ support for the proposed budget of the OP for fiscal year 2025.
“We believe the proposed amount will be sufficient and adequate for the President to meet the exacting demands of being the head of State and of government, the chief architect of Philippine foreign policy, and the commander in chief. We have determined that the budget reduction will not affect the delivery of services by the President to the people. More meetings will still be conducted, (and) more presidential public engagements will 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,” Bersamin assured the House members present.
He added that 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 brand of governance.
According to Bersamin, the adjusted budget is also adequate to accommodate logistical requirements for invitations to visit other countries, as well as diplomatic initiatives aimed at bringing in investments to hasten support for post pandemic economic recovery.
