Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada has urged Congress to restore the budget cuts made to the Office of the Vice President (OVP) for 2025, stressing that the country’s second-highest official deserves respect and dignity.
Estrada’s statement followed the recommendation by some lawmakers in the House of Representatives to reduce the OVP’s proposed P2 billion budget by P1.29 billion.
He questioned how the vice president’s office could function effectively with such a significant cut and suggested that the slashed funds be returned.
He also expressed confidence that most senators would agree to reinstate the reduced budget.
When asked about Vice President Sara Duterte’s absence from the budget hearings in the House, Estrada explained that it is a long-standing tradition for both the president and vice president to be granted the courtesy of not attending.
He noted that former VP Leni Robredo’s attendance at past hearings was voluntary.
Nevertheless, Estrada assured that transparency and accountability would be upheld in scrutinizing the OVP’s proposed budget for the upcoming year.