A day after she figured in a heated verbal exchange with Vice President Sara Duterte, Senate Deputy Minority Leader Sen. Risa Hontiveros disclosed plans to realign the proposed P10-million budget of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) for the distribution of her children’s book “Isang Kaibigan.”
The amount is lodged under the P2.037-billion budget of the OVP under the proposed 2025 national budget.
Hontiveros cited the “tight fiscal space” in government, noting how other agencies are always confronted with insufficient funding for salient programs such as social protection, medical, and disaster programs.
As far as she is concerned, the P10-million budget for the distribution of the copies of Duterte’s children’s book is improper in principle.
“For P10 million for books, I think in principle, that’s an improper request. Kung mayroon kang sinulat na libro, kung ikaw ang sumulat niyan, hindi mo dapat gamitan ng government funds at taxpayers money para ipamudmod (If you wrote a book, you must not use government funds and taxpayers money to distribute it),” Hontiveros said during a Kapihan sa Senado forum on Wednesday, Aug. 21.
That’s why, “at the proper time,” Hontiveros said she will propose that the P10-million be realigned to other items in the proposed budget for next year.
“I think it’s a proper item for realignment,” she said.
Meanwhile, Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero said he finds nothing wrong with Hontiveros’ move to inquire about the vice president’s children’s book.
Escudero, nevertheless, said he was glad that Sen. Grace Poe, chairperson of the Senate finance committee, was able to defuse the tension between Hontiveros and Duterte during their verbal spat.
“I think Sen. Grace Poe handled it very well. Sen. Risa had asked valid questions and so I advise agencies to be patient when they are asked about their budget during the deliberations,” Escudero said.
Escudero further said he believes the Senate is performing its mandate well when it is thoroughly scrutinizing each and every government office and agencies’ budget.
“Ano man tanong, dapat sinasagot (whatever the question is, it should be answered),” he said.
“Hindi na dapat haluan ng emosyon ang pagpapasya ng Senado kaugnay sa anumang panukalang batas(no personal emotion should be involved whenever the Senate takes up ny proposed law),” he pointed out.
Escudero said he fully trusts each senator that they can rein in their respective committees whenever there is a conflict between them and a resource person.