Senate panel approves P7.232-B proposed 2027 budget of Ombudsman
September 03, 2026
The Senate Committee on Finance, led by Senior Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito, has approved at the committee level the proposed P7.232-billion budget of the Office of the Ombudsman for 2027, as lawmakers moved to strengthen the agency’s capacity to investigate and prosecute corruption.
The Ombudsman had originally submitted a total budget request of P12.797 billion to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
Ejercito, who chairs the Committee on Finance, said the proposed Ombudsman Marshal Service is one of the initiatives that the committee intends to support.
Among the agency’s additional funding requests is P168 million for the creation of the Ombudsman Marshal Service, which will include 100 new positions tasked with serving cyber warrants, securing evidence, enforcing orders, and protecting investigators.
“I think the establishment of the Ombudsman Marshal Service will be very important to the performance of their duties. Mas dedicated at mas vetted ang mga personnel na directly assigned sa Ombudsman kaysa i-asa sa ibang law enforcement agency,” Ejercito said on Thursday, Sept. 3.
Flood control cases
During the budget hearing, the Ombudsman also provided an update on cases involving alleged irregularities in flood control projects.
As of the latest update, 35 cases are already before the courts, both in the Sandiganbayan and Regional Trial Courts, while 166 cases are undergoing preliminary investigation. The Ombudsman is also conducting 107 lifestyle checks.
The lawmaker from San Juan said the investigations must be allowed to take their course and that those found to have committed wrongdoing should be held accountable.
“Kung may ebidensya ng korapsyon, dapat managot. Kung may mga taong sangkot sa pagnanakaw ng pera ng bayan, kailangan nating tiyakin na mapapanagot sila sa ilalim ng batas,” he said.
Confidential funds
The Ombudsman also sought additional confidential funds proposing P148 million, while the DBM-recommended amount is P51.47 million.
Ejercito said the committee has not committed to fully restoring the original request but may consider increasing the allocation during the plenary deliberations.
“We cannot promise that the P148 million being requested by the Ombudsman will be fully restored. But we might add a little, especially after hearing what programs and investigations could be affected,” Ejercito said.
He emphasized, however, that confidential funds must remain subject to accountability and existing rules.
“Confidential funds do not mean that they are unaccountable. They still have to be properly justified and used for legitimate investigative purposes. May mga pagkakataon kasi na kailangan talagang confidential, particularly in gathering information,” he said.
Ejercito reiterated that the Senate’s policy is to confine confidential funds to law enforcement, national security, and investigative agencies.
Proposed Ombudsman building
Ejercito said the committee will also study the Ombudsman’s proposal for a new building, as it must first be justified and carefully evaluated, particularly given the government’s limited fiscal space.
He also noted the Ombudsman’s proposal to explore acquiring an existing building instead of constructing a new one, particularly properties that may have been vacated following the closure of some Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) facilities.
“Kung makakahanap sila ng good deal or bargain na existing building, that may be more practical than constructing a new one, which could cost much more. But we will have to study the proposal and see if it is justified,” Ejercito said.
He added that any proposed acquisition would still have to go through the appropriate legal and budgetary processes.
The committee’s approval will allow the proposed Ombudsman budget to proceed to plenary deliberations for further scrutiny.
