Estrada: Senate majority has final say on OVP budget hike

Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada —Senate PRIB

MANILA, Philippines — The majority of senators will have the final say on whether or not the 2025 funding of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) will be increased, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada said on Sunday.

“My stand is, it depends on the majority. And if it will redound to the benefit of the people, why not? But it still depends on the decision of the majority in the Senate,” he said in an interview with radio dzBB.

Sen. Joel Villanueva on Friday said at least four or five senators have so far signified their intent to increase the 2025 funding of the OVP.

“I’ve spoken to like four or five members who share my view of increasing the budget of the OVP from that in the GAB passed by Congress,” he said.

Estrada clarified that he was not among the lawmakers Villanueva was referring to.

“Senator Joel hasn’t spoken to me about it yet. I was not part of the conversation about whether or not the OVP funding will be increased,” Estrada said.

Not enough

Asked if he himself would agree to increase the OVP budget, he reiterated that it would depend on the majority in the Senate.

“If it’s necessary that we give [an increase], then give it. If not, then don’t,” Estrada said.

It will be known during the budget approval this week whether the Senate would increase the OVP budget or if it would just adopt the P733-million budget approved by the House of Representatives.

Villanueva, in an interview with reporters on Friday, said he has been vocal about his stance on the P1.29-billion cut in the OVP’s funding made by the House.

“As I mentioned earlier, I’m also in that position to somehow increase the budget, not necessarily restore everything… I don’t look at personalities; I don’t look at whatever some politicians are looking at right now; I’m just after the office itself. The Office of the Vice President deserves more,” he pointed out.

“We have yet to discuss the exact amount. [But], for me, at least P100 (million), P150 (million) is decent enough to increase the budget. So, we’ll see. On our end, we listen to both camps and the positions of our colleagues. And whatever the consensus is, I will respect the decision of the whole Senate,” he added.

Mixed sentiments

Villanueva also said he could not see a justified reason for the OVP’s fund to be slashed in half.

During the Senate plenary deliberations on the OVP’s proposed 2025 budget, senators approved its P733 million outlay, adopting the House version that slashed the original P2.03 billion proposal.

However, Vice President Sara Duterte had secured a promise from her allies in the chamber, Senators Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and Christopher “Bong” Go, to either give additional funding to the OVP or restore its massive budget cuts during the period of amendments.

Sen. Grace Poe, the Senate finance committee chair and principal sponsor of the budget said the P733 million earmarked for the OVP was not yet final as senators may still propose to either increase or decrease it, subject to the body’s approval.