A group of senators expressed disappointment after their request to increase the 2025 budget for the Office of the Vice President (OVP) was ignored, Senator Imee Marcos revealed.
Marcos named Senators Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, Christopher “Bong” Go, Robinhood Padilla, and Cynthia Villar among those upset but said the group includes 11 to 12 senators.
She shared that during a caucus, she questioned why the OVP budget was not increased, only to be told the office did not request additional funds.
“Yes, medyo masama ang loob namin nina Senator Bato, Senator Bong Go, Senator Robin Padilla, Senator Villar. Marami kami. Kasi isang dosena kami yata o labing isa na nagtaas ng kamay at sinabi dagdagan yung budget ni OVP. Kaya lang binalewala eh,” Senator Marcos said.
Marcos refuted the statement from Senate Finance Committee Chairperson Senator Grace Poe that the OVP could operate sufficiently with the allocated ₱733 million.
The senator argued that the budget shortfall could result in employee layoffs and the closure of regional and provincial OVP offices.
Marcos speculated that the OVP might refrain from submitting a “wishlist” due to its perceived rough treatment in Congress.
The Senate retained the ₱733 million budget for the OVP in the 2025 General Appropriations Bill, aligning with the House of Representatives’ recommendation.
The approved amount reflects a significant reduction from the initial ₱2.03 billion proposed for the OVP.