OP, PMS

FY2027 NEP proposals for the OP and PMS: For FY2027, the National Expenditure Program (NEP) proposed PHP 10.15 billion for the Office of the President alone. Its original agency request to DBM was not separately stated. For the Presidential Management Staff, neither the proposed NEP allocation nor an original agency-request total was stated in this session.

Proposed allocation and reductions: For FY2027, the proposed Office of the President (OP) allocation represented 0.14% of the proposed PHP 7.2 trillion national budget and was 64% below the previous year's level. Executive Secretary Ralph Recto attributed the reduction to lower operational needs among OP delivery units and the completion of activities for the Philippines' hosting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit, which would require no additional funding the following year.

Operating mandate and public outcomes: Recto said the President believes governance is strengthened when the Executive and legislative branches work together as co-equal institutions serving the Filipino people. He said the President's directive was to honor the Senate and respect its mandate; Congress holds the constitutional power of the purse.

Recto said the proposed allocation would sustain the OP's 51 delivery units and support Cabinet meetings, policy consultations, presidential engagements and official travel, as well as Malacanang's daily operations as the government's center for decision-making and executive coordination. He also linked the work to timely assistance for vulnerable families and faster government response during emergencies. He said the OP judged performance by whether public spending solves problems, improves lives or strengthens the nation, with public benefits including jobs, investment, national security, services and opportunities.

Fiscal accountability and audit: Recto said the Commission on Audit (COA) gave the OP an unmodified opinion for FY2025, its third consecutive such opinion since 2022. He characterized this as the highest audit opinion available to an agency and said COA's independent audit found the OP's financial statements fairly presented in all material respects under applicable public-sector accounting standards. He presented the result as evidence of fiscal discipline and accountability, and said the proposed budget followed DBM processes and sought no special treatment.

Opening remarks: Chair Senator Joseph Victor "JV" G. Ejercito described the Office of the President (OP) as directing the executive branch and translating administration priorities into programs and results. The Presidential Management Staff (PMS) supports the President by monitoring those priorities and coordinating with departments and agencies. Ejercito said resources for both offices must be used for the public good and their budget items properly executed and spent. He also recognized inter-parliamentary courtesy toward the OP and said the Senate would approach its budget with respect for the institution and its mandate.

Courtesy and motion to approve the Office of the President budget: Senate President Sherwin "Win" T. Gatchalian welcomed the Office of the President (OP) delegation, noting its preparations for the Philippines' hosting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) heads of state on November 16-18. He said he had heard that President Trump might also come, describing the occasion as an important event for the country.

Gatchalian invoked inter-parliamentary courtesy toward the OP and inter-senator or inter-colleague courtesy because Executive Secretary Ralph Recto was a former colleague who had previously sat on their side and questioned the other side. He said that after the OP presentation, he would move for approval of its budget.

Colleague courtesy and motion for plenary action: Senator Joel Villanueva echoed the Senate President's colleague-courtesy remarks toward Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, a former colleague. Villanueva said he would, after the presentation, join the Senate President's motion to submit the Office of the President (OP), the Presidential Management Staff (PMS), and their attached agencies for plenary action.

Agricultural smuggling enforcement: Senator Francis Kiko Pangilinan said he would respect parliamentary courtesy toward the President and his former colleague. As the Senate sponsor of the Department of Justice (DOJ) budget, he asked to arrange a separate meeting with the Anti-Agriculture Economic Sabotage Council before plenary so senators could receive campaign updates while the Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform finalized its report.

He challenged the DOJ to show that no agricultural or fisheries smuggler was untouchable and said he hoped the effort would make headway.

Submission for plenary consideration: Committee Chair Senator Joseph Victor "JV" G. Ejercito said the committee would continue coordinating with the Office of the President and the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) ahead of plenary budget debates. He said questions or concerns would be sent to the offices and asked officials to prepare for possible questions from senators.

To resolve the Senate President's earlier motion, seconded by Deputy Majority Leader Senator Joel Villanueva, Ejercito asked whether there were objections; hearing none, he deemed the Office of the President and PMS budgets submitted for plenary consideration.