The House of Representatives has approved the proposed P6.352-trillion national budget for 2025 on third and final reading, reducing the Office of the Vice President's (OVP) budget from P2 billion to P733 million. A total of 285 lawmakers voted in favor of the bill, with three opposing it.
The reduction follows Vice President Sara Duterte's absence during budget hearings and her refusal to answer questions about the use of confidential funds. Despite calls from some lawmakers to further cut or even zero out the OVP's budget, House Speaker Martin Romualdez defended the decision to allocate P733 million, citing the need for the OVP to continue serving the public.
Romualdez acknowledged the frustration over Duterte's non-participation but stressed that removing the OVP's funding would harm citizens relying on its services. The OVP will still be able to refer individuals to other government agencies, such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Health (DOH).
Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel criticized the remaining OVP budget as still too high, given the office's "poor performance," while Gabriela Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas argued the overall budget does not adequately address the needs of the people, particularly in housing and agriculture.
The Senate will now review the General Appropriations Bill, with Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero assuring its passage on time.
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