The Department of Justice (DoJ) is seeking P46.44 billion for 2027, slightly higher than its P45.5-billion budget this year, mainly to cover increased personnel compensation and benefits.

Justice Undersecretary Ian Norman Dato said the proposed budget was presented during the House Committee on Appropriations hearing recently.

“The budget last year was P45.5 billion. So the slight increase in the budget is attributed mainly to an increase in the compensation and benefits of personnel. So there’s really just a slight increase in the budget of the department,” Dato said.

He said the department’s proposed budget under the National Expenditure Program went through a lengthy preparation process that began as early as March.

“It goes through a process and we only present it when called by the House or the Senate,” Dato said.

Dato said the programs included in the budget’s line items are aligned with the department’s plans and priorities for 2027.

He said he could not yet provide details of the other allocations under the proposed budget but would look into them and provide the information at the next press conference.