MANILA – A lawmaker on Wednesday said the 21 percent augmentation in the proposed 2024 budget of the Department of Justice (DOJ) signifies the government's commitment to make the country's justice system more effective and robust.
During the budget hearing on the DOJ's PHP34.486-billion proposed budget for next year, Marikina Representative Stella Quimbo said the enhanced budget would better equip the agency to deliver timely and efficient services, which would advance the country's "goals of peace, justice and security.”
The proposed DOJ budget for next year is PHP5.879 billion higher than their 2023 budget of PHP28.607 billion.
Of the amount, 66.30 percent or PHP22.864 billion would be allotted to personnel services, 18.28 percent or PHP6.3 billion to capital outlay, and 15.4 percent or PHP5.319-billion to maintenance and other operating expenses.
"The Department of Justice stands as a beacon of our nation's commitment to peace, justice, and security. Its role is not only pivotal in upholding the rule of law but also in shaping the economic and societal stability of our nation," Quimbo said.
"The proposed 21 percent increase in the DOJ's budget is a testament to our collective recognition of its crucial mandate. Such a significant budgetary augmentation is not merely a numerical increment; it represents our nation's renewed and strengthened commitment to ensuring that every Filipino experiences the benefits of a robust justice system," she added.
He said from an economic perspective, a well-funded and efficient justice system instills confidence among businesses and investors.
"It signals a stable environment where contracts are honored, disputes are resolved fairly, and the rule of law prevails. Such stability is foundational for economic growth and prosperity," Quimbo said.
Committee Vice Chair Rep. Raul Angelo Bongalon, conveying Chairman Elizaldy Co’s message, stressed the complex role DOJ plays in safeguarding the integrity of digital spaces in an era of unparalleled technological advancement, where the boundaries of innovation are pushed to unprecedented heights.
Co urged the DOJ to invest in the continuous development of its workforce, ensuring they possess the expertise required to confront evolving threats head-on. (PNA)
