OVP Budget for 2027 Gets Nod at P785.2 Million

The House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations on Wednesday approved the proposed P785.2-million budget of the Office of the Vice-President (OVP) for 2027, extending parliamentary courtesy despite raised concerns. Party-list Rep. Robert L. Nazal moved to terminate budget deliberations to grant the OVP the same parliamentary courtesy extended to the Office of the President on Tuesday. “This is not a request for special treatment,” Mr. Nazal told the panel. “It is simply a request for consistency.” He noted that Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio was facing an impeachment proceeding, which he described as “a burden already heavy enough on its own.” Party-list Rep. Antonio L. Tinio objected to the motion, saying lawmakers should not be restricted to questions strictly concerning the budget. Mr. Tinio proceeded to scrutinize the OVP’s discretionary programs, particularly their guidelines and accessibility to the public. OVP Chief of Staff Zuleika T. Lopez said all nine core programs of the OVP were covered by manuals of operation that were regularly updated in consultation with the Commission on Audit. Mr. Tinio also questioned the OVP’s Libreng Sakay program, which has a P22-million allocation and accounts for about 1.2 million of the OVP’s projected 1.4 million beneficiaries. The OVP said it currently operates nine buses, two owned by the office and seven provided through private partners. The proposed P785.2-million OVP budget includes P561.7 million for maintenance and other operating expenses, while P193.1 million is allocated for goods and grants under its socioeconomic programs. — Pexcel John Bacon