Politics · Philippines Bureau
Senate Panel Eyes Boost to Ombudsman's Secret Funds for 2027
The Senate finance committee signaled openness to increasing the Office of the Ombudsman's confidential budget allocation, currently pegged at P51 million in the proposed 2027 spending plan. Committee chair JV Ejercito indicated support for a modest increase during budget deliberations.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA — The Senate finance committee has indicated it may provide additional funds to boost the Office of the Ombudsman's confidential budget allocation for 2027, moving beyond the P51 million proposed in the National Expenditure Program.
Committee chair JV Ejercito said the panel would consider adding "a little" to the appropriation, signaling flexibility during discussions on the antigraft office's funding requirements. The statement came after the committee held hearings on the Ombudsman's overall budget proposal.
The confidential funds, typically used for covert investigative operations and related expenses, are a standard component of the Ombudsman's annual allocation. The office has long maintained that adequate secret funds are essential for conducting surveillance and undercover investigations into corruption cases.
While Ejercito did not specify the exact amount of the proposed increase, his remarks suggest the finance panel views the current P51 million allocation as potentially insufficient for the Ombudsman's operational needs. The committee's recommendation will likely influence the final budget approved by both chambers of Congress before year-end.