Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Vice-President Sara Duterte speaks to the media at the Batasan Pambansa in Quezon City on November 25, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

RG Cruz

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/173269935320320241125-duterte-sara-hor-hearing-MT-5.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Vice-President Sara Duterte speaks to the media at the Batasan Pambansa in Quezon City on November 25, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Senate Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito on Wednesday said the Office of the Vice President (OVP) no longer submitted a request to increase their 2025 budget, which the House reduced in its version of the budget bill.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2024/11/26/senate-oks-2025-budget-on-final-reading-ovp-budget-akap-up-to-bicam-2021">Senate OKs 2025 budget on final reading; OVP budget, AKAP up to bicam</a></div><p>&quot;According to our chair, hindi nagpadala ng request. Kaya sabi niya wala na siyang basis to increase,&quot; Ejercito said, citing his conversation with Sen. Grace Poe of the Senate finance committee.</p><p>(According to our chair, they did not send a request. So, she said, there was no basis for an increase) </p><p>The Senate on Tuesday approved on third and final reading the proposed 2025 budget, with the OVP retaining its House-approved allocation of P733 million.</p><p>&quot;I think kung yung operation lang, we made sure naman na hindi ma-hamper, hindi ma-apektohan. Yung pinaka-basic operations will not be affected,&quot; Ejercito said.</p><p>(I think we were able to make sure their operations will not be hampered or affected. Their basic operations will not be affected)</p><p>Ejercito admitted there was a long discussion on the OVP&#x27;s budget the alliance of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr and Vice President Sara Duterte continued to break down and reached their lowest point over the weekend.</p><p>&quot;I think na-justify naman ni Senator Grace and napakita naman yung mga particulars or items na talagang hindi naman mawawalan. Even the social services are still there,&quot; he said.</p><p>(I think Sen. Poe was able to justify and show that the OVP will not lose its functions. Even the social services are still there)</p><div><strong>&#x27;WE TRIED&#x27;</strong></div><p>Duterte&#x27;s have accepted that the Senate majority has decided not to increase her budget next year for various reason.</p><p>Sen. Ronald dela Rosa doubts the upcoming bicameral conference committee of senators and House members will matter much in changing the controversial budget.</p><p>Dela Rosa said he and Sens. Bong Go, Imee Marcos and others tried to get the OVP budget increased but their efforts failed. He said they would not likely get the numbers at the bicam either.</p><p>Go  also bowed to the wish of the majority.</p><p>Sen. Joel Villanueva said that while he wanted the OVP&#x27;s budget increased, he has to abide by the majority vote.</p><p>&quot;I made a commitment during the caucus na anuman yung mapag-usapan sa caucus at anuman yung maging bersyon ng Senado, yan ang aking susuportahan pagdating sa bicameral conference,&quot; Villanueva said.</p><p>(I made a commitment during the caucus that I will support the Senate&#x27;s decision at the bicameral conference)</p><div><strong>POE: OVP WILL HAVE ENOUGH FUNDING FOR ITS MANDATE<br/></strong></div><p>Sen. Poe explained that the OVP can still function with the budget approved by the Senate.</p><p>&quot;The real basis is, Number One, they are capacitated to perform their mandate. Number Two, in our opinion, remember, this is like the committee&#x27;s opinion, there are certain programs that we feel may be redundant. And those programs already have the infrastructure to reach out to our countrymen,&quot; Poe said.</p><p>Dela Rosa however disagreed.</p><p>&quot;Justification is not needed. We don&#x27;t need justifications. We need mercy. We need mercy,&quot; Dela Rosa said.</p><p>Poe maintained things can still change at the bicameral panel.</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ye171OGDHAQ?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><div><br/></div>

<p>Allies of Vice President Sara Duterte have accepted that the Senate majority has decided not to increase her budget next year for various reason.</p>

Allies of Vice President Sara Duterte have accepted that the Senate majority has decided not to increase her budget next year for various reason.

Why the Senate decided against increasing the OVP's 2025 budget

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Why the Senate decided against increasing the OVP's 2025 budget

RG Cruz,

ABS-CBN News

Published Nov 27, 2024 05:53 PM PHT

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