PH Senate panel approves P7.232 billion proposed 2027 budget of Ombudsman

The Senate Committee on Finance has approved the proposed P7.232-billion budget of the Office of the Ombudsman for 2027, paving the way for the agency’s funding proposal to move to plenary deliberations.

The panel is chaired by Senior Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito, who said lawmakers intend to support measures aimed at strengthening the Ombudsman’s ability to investigate and prosecute corruption cases.

The Ombudsman had initially sought P12.797 billion from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

One of the initiatives the committee is looking to support is the proposed Ombudsman Marshal Service, which carries an additional funding request of P168 million.

The service would create 100 positions tasked with serving cyber warrants, securing evidence, enforcing orders, and providing protection to Ombudsman investigators.

“I think the establishment of the Ombudsman Marshal Service will be very important to the performance of their duties. Mas dedicated at mas vetted ang mga personnel na directly assigned sa Ombudsman kaysa i-asa sa ibang law enforcement agency,” Ejercito said on Thursday, Sept. 3.

Flood control cases

The Ombudsman also briefed the committee on its investigations into alleged irregularities involving flood control projects.

According to the agency’s latest figures, 35 cases have already reached the courts, including the Sandiganbayan and Regional Trial Courts. Another 166 cases are undergoing preliminary investigation, while 107 lifestyle checks are being conducted.

Ejercito said the investigations should proceed and that individuals found responsible for wrongdoing should face the consequences under the law.

“Kung may ebidensya ng korapsyon, dapat managot. Kung may mga taong sangkot sa pagnanakaw ng pera ng bayan, kailangan nating tiyakin na mapapanagot sila sa ilalim ng batas,” he said.

The Ombudsman is also seeking P148 million in confidential funds, significantly higher than the P51.47 million recommended by the DBM.

Ejercito said the committee has yet to decide whether to restore the agency’s full request but indicated that lawmakers could increase the allocation when the budget reaches the plenary.

“We cannot promise that the P148 million being requested by the Ombudsman will be fully restored. But we might add a little, especially after hearing what programs and investigations could be affected,” Ejercito said.

He stressed that confidential funds remain subject to accountability requirements and must be used only for legitimate purposes.

“Confidential funds do not mean that they are unaccountable. They still have to be properly justified and used for legitimate investigative purposes. May mga pagkakataon kasi na kailangan talagang confidential, particularly in gathering information,” he said.

Ejercito said the Senate’s policy remains to limit confidential funds to law enforcement, national security, and investigative agencies.

The committee will also examine the Ombudsman’s proposal for a new building, with Ejercito saying the project must first be justified in light of the government’s limited fiscal resources.

He said the agency is also considering acquiring an existing structure rather than constructing a new one, including properties that may have become available following the closure of some Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) facilities.

“Kung makakahanap sila ng good deal or bargain na existing building, that may be more practical than constructing a new one, which could cost much more. But we will have to study the proposal and see if it is justified,” Ejercito said.

Any acquisition would still have to comply with the necessary legal and budgetary requirements, he added.

-Paraluman News