The P6-billion budget of the Office of the President (OP) for 2018, which was 70.10 percent lower than the current P20-billion budget of 2017 , was approved by the House of Representatives’ appropriations committee on Thursday in just two minutes.
Albay Representative Edcel Lagman approved OP budget to the committee level even without evaluating it.
Lagman stated that, “I move, consistent with tradition, that we dispense with the presentation of the proposed 2018 budget of the Office of the President proper.”
“And I further move that we approve on the committee level said proposed appropriation without prejudice to its consideration and interpellation during the plenary session,” he added.
After Majority Leader Rodolfo Farinas seconded the motion witth no complaints from other legislators, Karlo Nograles, the panel chair then approved the OP budget.
The summary of the OP’s budget: Personal Services- P994,159,00; Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE)- P4,666,661,000; Capital Outlay: P370,190,000
On the MOOE, there were P1.25 billion confidential expenses, P1.25 billion intelligence expenses, and P19 million extraordinary and miscellaneous expenses.
The P884.9 million travel expenses were also included in thr budget.
Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea expressed his gratefulness for the House of Representative’s continuous support to President Rodrigo Duterte. | Angelica Bobiles – PTV
