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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Sapat na': No need to alter OVP's P733-M budget, Hontiveros says

'Sapat na': No need to alter OVP's P733-M budget, Hontiveros says

Published Nov 21, 2024 08:55 am

For Senator Risa Hontiveros, there's no longer a need to alter the P733-million budget of the Office of the Vice President (OVP).

"I think sapat na yung level ng proposed budget ng OVP. Nakapag-operate na nga ang ibang mga OVPs in previous administrations sa ganyang level lang (I believe the proposed budget for the Office of the Vice President is sufficient. Other Vice Presidents in previous administrations have successfully operated with a similar budget level)," she said during the Kapihan sa Senado forum on Thursday, Nov. 21.

Hontiveros added she's not keen on making changes in what's included in the House version regarding the proposed funding for the OVP program, which seems to repeat existing programs from other departments.

Yet she stated that there while there are funds allocated to departments with similar programs, they are still earmarked for beneficiary identification specifically of the OVP.

On the other hand, Hontiveros added that P10 million for the distribution of 'Isang Kaibigan' books, a children's book authored by Vice President Sara Duterte would be hard to justify.

"So susubukan ko talaga na supportahan yung current level ng OVP budget. I don't think kailangan pang baguhin iyan (I will really try to support the current level of the OVP budget. I don't think it needs to be changed)," she added.

This book sparked a hostile exchange between Duterte and Hontiveros during the budget deliberations of a Senate finance subcommittee on Aug. 20.

Hontiveros particularly asked about the contents of the book. But instead of responding to the question, Duterte accused Hontiveros of politicizing the budget, pointing out Hontiveros' plans to amend it.

Hontiveros initially said that she would make a motion at the proper time to propose an amendment to the OVP's budget after observing that a huge chunk P1.909 billion of the proposed budget amounting to P2.037 billion, would be used for the delivery of socio-economic programs, such as financial, medical, burial, and education assistance that other government agencies are already implementing.

During the plenary deliberations, in less than 10 minutes, the Senate adopted the 2025 budget of the P733-million budget proposed by the Senate finance committee chaired by Senator Grace Poe last Wednesday, Nov. 13. No senator came forward to interpellate and raise questions.

Related Tags

Office of the Vice President Senator Risa Hontiveros Vice President Sara Duterte
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