OP Budget Breezes Through Senate Panel

The Senate finance committee yesterday quickly approved for plenary debate the Office of the President (OP)'s proposed P27.36-billion budget for 2026, which includes funding for hosting the ASEAN Summit.

- Marc Jayson Cayabyab Bella Cariaso, Jose Rodel Clapano, Marco Luis Beech, Neil Jayson Servallos, EJ Macababbad

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin attended the hearing and thanked the Senate panel for adhering to the tradition of approving the OP's budget without delay.

The budget for locally funded projects and maintenance and other operating expenses significantly increased for the Philippines' hosting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit and related meetings.

Next year’s summit would be held in two parts, with 21 heads of state including US President Donald Trump to be invited, according to the OP.

Senate finance committee chair Sherwin Gatchalian said the chamber would support funding for a summit that would showcase the country’s potential.

OVP budget

Ahead of tomorrow’s House appropriations panel deliberation on the Office of the Vice President’s proposed 2026 budget of P903 million, the OVP released an accomplishment report highlighting 1,416 people and 30 groups that benefited from its livelihood program.

As of July 31, the OVP’s ‘Mag Negosyo Ta ‘Day’ program provided P150,000 in financial aid to each group and P15,000 per person.