Senate panel OKs OVP 2023 budget

FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate finance committee on Thursday approved the proposed budget of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) in just about 40 minutes.

Under Vice President Sara Duterte, the OVP has a proposed P2.3 billion budget for the fiscal year 2023.

In his manifestation, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri appealed to his colleagues to give the OVP “due courtesy” and approve its 2023 budget as soon as possible.

“Time and time again, whenever there is a budget deliberation of the OVP, we would always support the budget of the OVP, whoever the Vice President may be. And we give due courtesy to that very important office,” he said.

“So I’m here also appealing to my colleagues that we give the same courtesy we have given to the previous Vice Presidents when it comes to their budget,” Zubiri added.

The Senate President described Duterte as “very hardworking” and has “the heart for the Filipino people,” saying that her office’s budget request is “very sound.”

“Her budget request, as far as I am concerned, is a very sound one, an important measure on how she will be able to help people, especially in these times of calamities and tragedies and still within the pandemic,” he said.

Several senators have also expressed their support for the OVP’s budget, including Senator Bong Go, who was the longtime aide of Duterte’s father, former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Only Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III asked about the OVP’s budget.

For his part, Senator Ramon Revilla took note and lauded the OVP’s initiative to establish satellite offices across the country, saying this would help Filipinos access the government’s services easier.

“I’m confident that with these reforms, the OVP will bring services closer to people,” he said.

The OVP’s budget also breezed through the House committee on appropriations, getting approval in less than seven minutes.

The House of Representatives has approved on the third and final reading the proposed P5.2 trillion national budget for 2023.

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