BEYOND BUDGET Assalamu alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. I had the privilege of attending the World Governments Summit (WGS) last Feb. 11 to 13 in Dubai. This is an annual gathering of world leaders for dialogue among government officials, thought leaders, policymakers, and private sector...
BEYOND BUDGET (Part I) Assalamu alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. I feel an overwhelming sense of pride after our country successfully hosted the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting — a first for our nation — which took place in Bonifacio Global City,...
BEYOND BUDGET Assalamu alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. It’s the budget season once more. For those unfamiliar with the national budgeting process, this involves four distinct yet overlapping phases: budget preparation, budget legislation, budget execution, and budget...
BEYOND BUDGET Assalamu alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. Last Dec. 30, 2024, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (PBBM) signed the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) but at the same time, used his Constitutional power to veto line items not aligned with our Medium-Term Fiscal...
BEYOND BUDGET Assalamu alaikum wa Raḥmatullahi wa Barakatuh. The 2024 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) was undeniably historic, marking its 50th year as a cornerstone of Philippine cinema. This milestone wasn’t just a celebration of the past but also a bold step forward, showcasing the...
BEYOND BUDGET Assalamu alaikum wa Raḥmatullahi wa Barakatuh. Today marks a milestone in our country’s journey toward more transparent, accountable, and inclusive governance, as we hold the media launch for the Open Government Partnership Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting (OGP APRM). To be...
BEYOND BUDGET Assalamu alaikum wa Raḥmatullahi wa Barakatuh. Today is the start of the New Year. As we bid goodbye to the old and welcome the new, we reflect on the year that was and hope for a better, brighter 2025. 2024: A year of grace and triumphs For us in the Department...
BEYOND BUDGET Assalamu alaikum wa Raḥmatullahi wa Barakatuh. I believe that the true essence of the holiday season is the shared love, joy, and hope it brings. It is in the spirit of generosity, acknowledgment, kindness, and gratitude, that we show our appreciation by giving gifts to the people...
BEYOND BUDGET Assalamu alaikum wa Raḥmatullahi wa Barakatuh. Of all the resources available in an organization, I believe manpower is the most important. In the government, where timely, quality, and relevant services are crucial, grand plans and programs often fail without committed,...
BEYOND BUDGET Assalamu alaikum wa Raḥmatullahi wa Barakatuh. As a public servant with more than 20 years of service, one of my visions is for our government to operate in a more transparent, open, inclusive, sustainable, and efficient manner. Thus, when I assumed office as the Department of...
BEYOND BUDGET Assalamu alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. While in Singapore for the FinTech Festival last Nov. 7, I was honored to pay a courtesy call to Singapore’s minister for Sustainability and the Environment, Honorable Grace Fu Hai Yien, where I expressed gratitude for Singapore’s...
BEYOND BUDGET Assalamu alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. Last Nov. 7, I had the honor to speak on our country’s key investment imperatives in one of the event tracks of the Singapore Fintech Festival (SFF), the premier platform for the global FinTech community to engage, connect,...