Manila: The judiciary branch is receiving a 22.2 percent funding increase under the proposed 2027 national budget, raising its budget to PHP86.27 billion, with nearly PHP46 billion designated for adjudication and court operations.

According to Philippines News Agency, the proposed allocation is PHP15.7 billion higher than the Judiciary's PHP70.6-billion budget under the 2026 General Appropriations Act. This increase places it among the top 10 government departments and sectors with the largest allocations in the proposed PHP7.2-trillion National Expenditure Program (NEP).

More than half of the Judiciary's proposed budget, or PHP45.90 billion, will be allocated to the Adjudication Program. This program covers the personnel and operating needs of the Supreme Court and lower courts, as well as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal, Sandiganbayan, Court of Appeals, and Court of Tax Appeals. The amount is PHP10.45 billion, or 29.48 percent, higher than the program's 2026 allocation.

Budget Acting Secretary Kim Robert De Leon noted that the Supreme Court's original budget proposal was incorporated into the 2027 NEP, recognizing the Judiciary's constitutional independence and fiscal autonomy.

Additionally, the proposed budget includes PHP4.73 billion for the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027. This plan supports efforts to modernize court systems, improve operations, and strengthen information and communications technology infrastructure.

Another PHP200 million is designated for the construction of Halls of Justice in Cebu City and Cagayan de Oro City under the Justice System Infrastructure Program. This program supports the construction, completion, repair, and rehabilitation of Halls of Justice and judges' quarters nationwide, addressing deficiencies in court facilities.

The Judiciary is part of the General Public Services sector, which has a proposed allocation of PHP1.467 trillion, making it the third-largest sectoral allocation in the 2027 NEP.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. stated that investments in this sector would strengthen government institutions, uphold the rule of law, and ensure efficient and responsive public services. "This investment enables government institutions to continue delivering efficient, responsive, and transparent public services while upholding prudent and responsible fiscal management," Marcos said in his budget message.