A Senate sub-committee on finance endorsed for the senators’ approval Malacañang’s proposed P8.128-billion budget for the Office of the President (OP) in 2022, nearly P4 million lower compared to the President’s budget this year.
However, tucked into the presidential annual budget for 2022 is P4.5-billion “confidential and intelligence” fund, same as this year.
Under questioning by Senator Nancy Binay, senators were told this was also the same amount since 2020.
Lawmakers were, likewise, informed that P2.95 billion were already recorded as disbursed and cash advances from this year budget as of September 30.
Also included in the approved disbursement was P751.17 million from the budget of the Presidential Management Staff (PMS).
Before the sub-committee moves to endorse its approval, Binay asked the PMS officers about reports on depositing P36 million in the controversial Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM).
According to Undersecretary Ferdinand Cui Jr., they coordinated closely with PS-DBM to facilitate the delivery of the office supplies.
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