OP operating expenditures drop to P12.3 B

The Office of the President (OP) scaled back on expenses during President Marcos' first full year in office in 2023, having spent 43.4 percent less than its spending in 2022, according to the Commission on Audit.

COA's audit report released on Dec. 1 showed that the OP's maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) in 2023 were at P12.313 billion from P21.768 billion in 2022.

Its expenses for the salaries, bonuses and benefits of all Malacañang personnel also decreased to P1.372 billion from P1.409 billion in 2022.

Expenses for donations or the fund releases from the OP's Socio-Civic Projects Fund saw the biggest decrease from P15.568 billion in 2022 to P5.408 billion in 2023 or a P10.16-billion reduction.

"The significant decrease in this account is due to the lesser financial assistance granted in 2023, considering that some assistance granted in 2022 are still subject to liquidation before a new assistance may be granted," the OP said.

Malacañang's professional services or the legal, consultancy and technical or skilled hires fell to P35 million from P54.25 million. Repairs and maintenance covering the OP’s transport fleet, equipment and standing structures also fell from P86.18 million to P34.38 million.

While Marcos’ local travel expenses were scaled down, his foreign travel expenses soared to P751.52 million in 2023 from P396.27 million in 2022.