Manila, Sept. 10 -- The chief of the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) is hopeful that their request for at least PHP80 million allocation for 2026 will be approved, to further boost their capacity to investigate complaints against government personnel and agencies.

ARTA Director General Ernesto Perez, in an interview on the sidelines of the launch of ARTA's electronic complaints management system (eCMS) at the agency's office in Quezon City on Wednesday, said their proposed budget for next year is around PHP490 billion.

"We will request for additional PHP80 million to support regional field offices and hire additional lawyers. That will be enough to sustain our operations for next year," he said.

Perez said their earlier request for addi...