The Office of the President’s proposed P27.3 billion budget for next year secured a swift passage in the Senate on Wednesday.
Less than five minutes after the session began, the chamber approved the Office of the President’s funding for next year as a matter of courtesy.
It was Sen. Jinggoy Estrada who moved for the immediate approval of the funding and no senator objected to his motion.
Newly appointed Executive Secretary Ralph Recto was at the session hall when the budget was presented.
The Senate kicked off its marathon plenary deliberations on the 2026 General Appropriations Bill containing the proposed P6.783 trillion budget for next year on November 13.
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, chair of the Senate’s panel on finance, confirmed that they are eyeing to pass a budget that is lower than the Palace-approved National Expenditure Program for the next fiscal year. /cb