Manila: The Senate Committee on Finance on Thursday approved at the committee level the Office of the Ombudsman's proposed PHP7.23-billion budget for 2027, with lawmakers signaling support for additional funding to strengthen its anti-corruption investigations and enforcement capability.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM)-recommended allocation of PHP7.23 billion is about PHP655.44 million, or 9.96 percent, higher than the Ombudsman's PHP6.577-billion budget for 2026. It represents about 0.1 percent of the proposed PHP7.2-trillion national budget for next year, significantly lower than the PHP12.797 billion originally sought by the anti-graft body.
Senate finance committee chair Sen. JV Ejercito emphasized the importance of the proposed Ombudsman Marshal Service, which would provide the agency with personnel dedicated to serving warrants, securing evidence, enforcing orders, and protecting investigators. The Ombudsman is seeking around PHP168 million for this initiative, as well as additional positions to bolster its administrative and support units.
Sen. Panfilo Lacson, who has filed a bill to create the Ombudsman Marshal Service, proposed allocating a portion of funds recovered by the government from corruption cases to the agency to enhance its resources. Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla welcomed this proposal. Lacson also highlighted the disparity between the Ombudsman's proposed budget and that of Hong Kong's Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), suggesting that the budget should be significantly higher.
The Ombudsman reported ongoing investigations, including 35 cases involving alleged irregularities in flood control projects and 166 cases undergoing preliminary investigation. Ejercito stressed the need for accountability in cases of corruption.
The Ombudsman also requested additional confidential funds and funding for a new office building. Ejercito noted the possibility of acquiring an existing building as a more practical solution.
Senate President Pro Tempore Vicente Sotto III raised concerns about the high number of vacant positions within the Ombudsman. Remulla cited space constraints and a rigorous hiring process as factors affecting staffing levels.
The committee-level approval advances the proposed Ombudsman budget to the next stage of Senate deliberations, where potential increases for enforcement, investigative, and institutional requirements may still be considered.
