黑料社

MANILA, Philippines 鈥� Malaca帽ang has justified anew its proposal for an increased budget of the Office of the President (OP) next year.

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Tuesday that OP鈥檚 augmented 2020 budget was necessary to secure the Philippines from local and foreign threats.

鈥淭he Palace reiterates that the increase in the budget of the Office of the President, where the seat of power and supremacy in governance lies, is necessary in order to provide efficient, meaningful and effective public service to the Filipino people,鈥澛燩anelo said in a statement.

In the proposed P4.1-trillion national budget for 2020, OP asked for a budget of P8.2 billion, which was P1.5 billion higher than the budget it has for 2019.

Of the P8.2 billion, OP earmarked P6.7 billion for maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE), P1.1 billion for personnel services, and P427 million for capital outlay.

Under the P6.7 billion MOOE budget, OP鈥檚 confidential and intelligence expenses got the biggest share at P2.25 billion each or P4.5 billion in total.

鈥淭he additional amount is also necessary to secure the country from threats coming from sources within and (outside) the country,鈥� Panelo asserted.

He further said that 鈥渋n times of national emergencies and calamities, coupled with cries for help from all walks of life, and when the departments and agencies that provide basic services or responses to the public run short of funds, the OP steps in to extend a helping hand and augment whatever shortage there may be in delivering the requisite assistance.鈥�

搁贰础顿:听Duterte鈥檚 office wants 2020 budget hiked: OP 鈥榓ng takbuhan ng lahat鈥�

鈥淭he intensified efforts of this government, with the Office of the President at the helm, against criminality and various perils against the Philippines鈥� security and sovereignty,鈥� he said, 鈥渉ave indeed created a changed environment in our society where the people feel safe as they go about living their daily lives. We intend to maintain such an environment and even improve it in the remaining years of the Duterte Presidency.鈥�

鈥淎s correctly pointed out by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea that while the budget allocation for the Office of the President during the time of former President Benigno Aquino III was significantly lower, its achievements and accomplishments are nonetheless commensurate thereto in that there was little to no substantial improvement in governance,鈥� he added.

Panelo then touted that 鈥渢he people have seen and experienced in the three years of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte鈥檚 presidency, an unprecedented success in many fronts, especially in the aspect of law and order, as well as in the overall public administration of the government.鈥�

He also noted that 鈥渢he unparalleled approval rating by the Filipino people in favor of this Administration is proof of these accomplishments.鈥�

鈥淲e recall that Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, during last year鈥檚 budget hearing was asked if PhP2.5B was enough for the Office of the President, and he categorically answered that it should be substantially increased as it was not enough,鈥� he said.

鈥淭he Palace seconds the Executive Secretary鈥檚 position on the matter, knowing that with the strong resolve of the President to pursue programs and policies that will finally bring genuine change to the nation, we will need the necessary financial support,鈥� he added. /kga

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