OVP Seeks Courtesy in Budget Approval
The Office of the Vice President (OVP) is aiming for Congress to grant the customary courtesy in approving its proposed P903.6 million budget for 2026. This four-word keyphrase, a tradition once extended to Vice President Sara Duterte during her early years, remains a significant expectation as the OVP prepares for upcoming budget deliberations.
Despite past controversies, OVP spokesperson Ruth Castelo expressed confidence that they will defend the budget thoroughly before both the House of Representatives and the Senate. “We hope that that kind of courtesy will again be extended to the Office of the vice president when we present our budget,” Castelo said in a recent radio interview.
Understanding the Courtesy Tradition
The courtesy in budget deliberations is traditionally granted to the Office of the President and the OVP. This practice allows these offices a smoother review process, often sparing them from exhaustive scrutiny. However, critics and various organizations have challenged this tradition, arguing that it grants an unfair advantage and shields these offices from accountability.
During 2022 and 2023, the OVP under Duterte benefitted from this privilege. Yet, critics raised concerns about alleged secret funds in the budget, which they claimed were beyond the vice president’s official mandate. These issues fueled debates over the legitimacy and transparency of the OVP’s spending.
Scrutiny on Confidential Funds
Over time, lawmakers began to closely examine Duterte’s use of confidential funds. By 2024, questions intensified regarding the utilization of P612.5 million in secret funds. During budget hearings in August last year, shortly after Duterte resigned as education secretary, she was pressed for answers but declined to respond. At one point, she even demanded the replacement of the presiding officer overseeing the deliberations.
Despite this tense atmosphere, the OVP remains hopeful that courtesy will be extended once more. Castelo emphasized that the proposed P903.6 million budget is modest and has already undergone vetting by the Department of Budget and Management. “Even if you dig into the minute details [of our budget], I also have to say that we are still ready. We have been preparing and we’re ready to defend the budget for 2026,” she stated.
Upcoming Deliberations and Commitment to Transparency
The OVP is scheduled to face the House appropriations panel on September 12 for their budget deliberations. Castelo assured that the office will maintain transparency in budget utilization, highlighting Vice President Duterte’s awareness of legal boundaries. “She’s very much aware of what should be done and what should not be done under the law,” Castelo noted.
In light of previous accusations of fund misuse, which also served as grounds for an impeachment complaint, the OVP pledges openness. “In terms of transparency, we are all for it. It’s an open book. It’s public record. They can easily dive into the details if they want to,” Castelo affirmed.
For more news and updates on the Office of the Vice President budget, visit Filipinokami.com.
