This Monday, the National Congress resumes consideration of the 2027 Budget Law after constituency week, according to Emol. Three budget allocations dominate the discussion: Defense, the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Office of the Comptroller General of the Republic.
The most sensitive issue is Defense. The government’s bill raises the Ministry of National Defense’s budget by 7.6%, bringing it to more than 2.6 trillion pesos. The increase drew criticism because the executive branch is proposing cuts to higher education, regional governments, culture and science.
Some sectors are also wary of the increase’s connection to the Shield of the Americas. Through that initiative, the United States called on South American countries to increase their defense spending.
Others defend the increase. Socialist Deputy Raúl Leiva, a member of the Chamber’s Defense Committee, said part of the increase stems from the Army’s Four-Year Investment Plan, "which has been postponed repeatedly".
Defense Minister Fernando Barros responded this week that the increase "is within reason". He said there are commitments, development plans and rising costs, and that everything "is in line with what was planned".
At the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the complaint centers on autonomy. On Friday, National Prosecutor Ángel Valencia and a delegation of regional prosecutors met with Minister Claudio Alvarado, who holds two portfolios. They warned him that funding is insufficient, for example, to implement the Supraterritorial Prosecutor’s Office.
Valencia joined forces with Comptroller Dorothy Pérez. The Comptroller’s Office receives a 5.9% increase, but both object that the bill could require them to seek authorization from the Ministry of Finance to use funds for audits and criminal investigations.
News also emerged this week of a lunch to discuss the budget involving Valencia, Pérez and Pamela Figueroa, chair of the Electoral Service’s (Servel) Governing Board. That agency faces an initial reduction of nearly $4,000 million, around 12% of what it requested.
There were signs of openness from the governing coalition. National Renewal (RN) president Andrea Balladares said on Canal 13 on Sunday that it was necessary to examine whether the restrictions reported by the prosecutor exist, because they would pose "a risk to security". She called on the executive branch to make corrections if there was room for improvement.
Budget Director Juan Pablo Gómez defended a "responsible" bill in El Mercurio, prioritizing growth and employment through capital spending on Public Works and Housing.
Gómez rejected reinstating the "I Choose My PC" program, as several lawmakers have requested, because international evidence shows it "has no impact". Even so, he said ministries and agencies would remain open to dialogue. Emol did not report voting deadlines for this week.
