The Senate Finance Committee has approved the proposed PHP27.3 billion budget for the Office of the President (OP) and PHP882.5 million for the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) under the 2026 National Expenditure Program.
Presided over by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, chair of Finance Subcommittee A, the hearing featured budget presentations from Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and PMS Secretary Elaine Masukat.
Bersamin emphasized Malacañang’s commitment to legislative collaboration. “Our presence here manifests the President’s commitment to work closely with the Senate in upholding our mutual objective of promoting the welfare of our people and the country’s national interests,” he stated, further affirming that the OP “will fully cooperate with Congress” as it fulfills its budgetary oversight role.
The PMS allocation reflects a modest 1.14% increase from the previous year. According to Masukat, the amount will support the development of presidential briefers, policy inputs, directive monitoring, and public engagement facilitation, among other core functions.
Following the presentations, Gatchalian announced the committee’s approval. “There being no objection, the budgets of the Office of the President and the Presidential Management Staff are now deemed subjected for plenary’s consideration,” he said, noting the approval is contingent upon the submission of requested documents.
Some senators also signaled their intention to support a further increase in the OP’s budget to help cover costs associated with the Philippines’ hosting of the ASEAN Summit in 2026.
