OVP’S BUDGET APPROVED IN LESS THAN 10 MINUTES IN SENATE

By Liza Soriano

MANILA — In less than 10 minutes on Wednesday (13 Nov 22024), the Senate approved the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) proposed budget for 2025.

No senator raised any objections to the P733-million budget submitted by the Senate finance committee.

Vice President Sara Duterte was present at the Senate finance committee hearing.

During the session, Senator Bong Go urged that the OVP’s budget be restored to the original proposal, emphasizing the importance of the various programs the office implements.

Go also stressed that the Vice President is not a “spare tire.”

“Ang daming programa na pilit sinasama sa mga Unprogrammed Funds na hindi na po nagagamit, winawalis na po dahil hindi nagagamit ‘yong pondo,” Go remarked.

“Nananawagan po sana ako sa mga kasamahan natin dito na sana po madagdagan o maibalik ang pondo po na naaprubahan sa NEP for 2025. Para naman po makapagtrabaho nang maayos ang ating Bise Presidente na parte po ng Executive Branch of the government. Para naman meron tayong working Vice President at hindi lang po spare tire,” he added.

ia/mnm