Senate panel OKs OP's proposed 2025 budget in minutes

The Senate Committee on Finance on Monday swiftly approved the proposed budget of President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr.'s office for fiscal year 2025. 

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin presented the Office of the President's (OP) proposed P10,506,201,000-budget for next year, which is 1.88% lower than the budget in fiscal year 2024.

The budget was swiftly approved by the panel in view of parliamentary courtesy given to a co-equal branch of the government. 

Bersamin said their presence in the Senate budget hearing shows the President's commitment to work closely with the Senate in upholding the mutual objective of promoting the welfare of the people and the country's national interest.

Bersamin also pointed out that the budget could ''sufficiently accommodate the logistical requirements of honoring invitations from foreign leaders to visit their countries as well as to carry out diplomatic initiatives which would yield job creating investments that will hasten support to our post-pandemic economic recovery.'' —KBK, GMA Integrated News