IPINAGTANGGOL ng Palasyo ang hinihinging mas mataas na panukalang budget ng Office of the President (OP) para sa 2020 kung saan papalo ito sa P8.2 bilyon kumpara ngayong taon na P6.7 bilyon.
Ikinumpara pa ni Presidential Spokesperson at Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo ang nagawa ng administrasyon ni Pangulong Duterte sa mga natapos noong panahon ni dating pangulong Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.
“As correctly pointed out by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea that while the budget allocation for the Office of the President during the time of former President Benigno Aquino III was significantly lower, its achievements and accomplishments are nonetheless commensurate thereto in that there was little to no substantial improvement in governance,” sabi ni Panelo.
Mas mataas ng P1.5 bilyon ang hinihinging panukalang budget ng OP para sa susunod na taon kumpara sa 2019.
“In times of national emergencies and calamities, coupled with cries for help from all walks of life, and when the departments and agencies that provide basic services or responses to the public run short of funds, the OP steps in to extend a helping hand and augment whatever shortage there may be in delivering the requisite assistance,” ayon pa kay Panelo.
Sa kabuuang panukalang budget na P8.2 bilyon, aabot ang confidential at intelligence expenses sa P4.5 bilyon o P2.25 bilyon bawat isa.