THE Senate on Thursday revealed that it requested a lower allocation in the 2027 proposed budget with P7.7 billion, which is about P863 million or 10.1% lower than the chamber’s 2026 budget.
Senator Joseph Victor G. Ejercito, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, said the reduced budget is intended to set an example amid the government’s limited fiscal resources. Mr. Ejercito emphasized that the Senate was among the few government agencies with a proposed budget lower than its current allocation.
Senate Secretary Renato N. Bantug, Jr. told the chamber that there were several submitted budget scenarios for the 2027 National Expenditure Program, ranging from P7.7 billion to P5.7 billion, nearly P2 billion lower than the final number.
Mr. Bantug said the proposed reductions would not impact the Senate’s duties, noting it will continue to improve digital systems, legislative services and information access.
The Senate, Mr. Ejercito said, was leading through “fiscal austerity” in its lower allocation. He added that the Senate’s goal throughout the budget process was to support other agencies.
“Our focus is simple: to make sure that each agency gets the support they need to serve the public effectively,” he said. — Francessca S. Abalos