Camarines Sur 3rd district Rep. Gabriel Bordado Jr. (left), Vice President Sara Duterte (Facebook)

A congressman who is a close ally of former vice president Leni Robredo has called for "greater scrutiny" on the Office of the Vice President"s (OVP) proposed budget under Vice President Sara Duterte. 

Camarines Sur 3rd district Rep. Gabriel Bordado Jr. made the call ahead of the Senate’s deliberation of its version of the P6.352-trillion General Appropriations Bill (GAB) for 2025. 

"I call for greater scrutiny, transparency, and accountability in the disbursement and utilization of public funds," said Bordado, who made specific reference to the OVP. 

The House of Representatives had approved the spending measure on third and final reading last Sept. 25.. This paves the way for the 23-member Senate’s perusal of the GAB upon the resumption of sessions on Nov. 4. 

But the House passed the 2025 outlay with minimal participation from Vice President Duterte. In fact, the second highest-ranked official of the land didn't even attend the House plenary debates to help defend the OVP budget worth P2.037 billion. 

This led to the House's reduction of the OVP budget to P733 million, with the difference set to be funneled to social services. However, the Senate is reportedly looking to restore Vice President Duterte's budget. 

"Under vice president Leni Robredo, the [OVP] operated with a budget of P703 million in 2022. Despite these constraints, her office implemented impactful, transparent programs focused on good governance and social service delivery, with every peso accounted for and allocated prudently," Bordado said. 

He further highlighted the controversial disbursement of P125 million in confidential funds granted to the OVP in 2022, which was spent within just 11 days. 

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"This amount was not even part of the budget approved by Congress. It was released through the Office of the President, and its sudden, rapid utilization has sparked justified inquiries," the Bicolano stated. 

He also cited the Commission on Audit’s (COA) notice of disallowance, which required Vice President Duterte to return P73.287 million due to insufficient documentation justifying the expenditures. 

"Why, then, should the OVP be allocated such enormous sums when other agencies are better equipped to deliver these services?" Bordado asked. He also criticized the proliferation of satellite offices under the current OVP, describing them as duplicative and politically strategic. 

Bordado formerly served as vice mayor to Leni's husband, the late former Naga City mayor and Department of The Interior and local Government (DILG) secretary Jesse Robredo.