2025 Budget Cuts: VP Sara Duterte’s Office Funding Slashed to P733M from P2.037B
VP Sara Duterte’s Office Budget Remains Slashed at $14 Million for 2025
MANILA – Despite pledges from some senators, the bicameral conference committee has finalized the 2025 budget, keeping Vice president Sara Duterte’s office funding at $14 million. this amount represents a significant cut from her original request of $38 million.
The decision comes after the House of Representatives slashed the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) budget by $24 million in September, citing Duterte’s repeated absences from budget deliberations.”As is,” Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada confirmed on Wednesday, December 11th, when asked about the OVP’s final budget allocation.
Senate finance committee chairperson Grace Poe added, “Of course, this is a collegial body. We all have our own wishlists that we want to be granted, but the majority will prevail.”
The $24 million removed from Duterte’s budget proposal will be redirected to social services projects within the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Department of Health.
Duterte, who has faced intense scrutiny over her handling of public funds, previously stated she would make do wiht the reduced budget.
The House launched an inquiry into Duterte’s alleged misuse of confidential funds during her time as both Vice President and Secretary of the Department of Education. The investigation revealed that her security personnel, not designated disbursing officers, managed these funds, raising concerns about potential irregularities.
This budget decision marks a significant development in the ongoing scrutiny of duterte’s financial management practices.
Congress Approves 2025 Budget, Cuts Funding for Controversial Programs
Washington, D.C. – After weeks of debate and negotiation, Congress has finally approved the 2025 federal budget, a $6.532 trillion spending plan that includes significant cuts to controversial programs.
The budget, which represents a 10% increase from the current year’s funding, was the subject of intense scrutiny, notably regarding the allocation of funds for programs like the Ayuda para sa Kapos and Kita Program (AKAP) and subsidies for the state health insurer, PhilHealth.Senator Grace Poe, a key figure in the budget negotiations, confirmed that the bicameral conference committee, responsible for reconciling differences between the House and Senate versions of the budget, partially restored funding for AKAP, a cash aid program, to $26 billion.This is a significant reduction from the $39 billion initially proposed by the House.
“Thay need to use the reserve funds first…because they’re just going to waste,” poe said, referring to PhilHealth’s reserves. “What are they doing, why are they just keeping them and not using them?”
The decision to eliminate PhilHealth subsidies sparked debate, with some lawmakers arguing that the agency should utilize its existing reserves before receiving additional government funding.the approved budget now heads to the president’s desk for final approval.
This budget cycle saw increased public scrutiny of government spending, particularly in light of recent controversies surrounding the use of public funds. While the final budget reflects compromises reached by lawmakers,it remains to be seen how these funding decisions will impact key programs and services in the coming year.
Duterte’s Office Budget Remains Slashed at $14 Million for 2025
MANILA – vice President Sara Duterte will see her office budget remain at $14 million for 2025, after the bicameral conference committee finalized the budget, keeping the meaningful cut from her original request of $38 million.
The House of representatives had initially slashed the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) budget by $24 million in September, citing Duterte’s absences from budget deliberations.
Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy estrada confirmed the final budget allocation on December 11th.
“As is,” Estrada said when asked about the OVP’s final budget.
Senate finance committee chairperson grace Poe added,”Of course,this is a collegial body. We all have our own wishlists that we want to be granted, but the majority will prevail.”
The $24 million removed from Duterte’s budget proposal will be allocated to social services projects within the Department of Social Welfare adn Development and the Department of Health.
Duterte, who has faced scrutiny over her handling of public funds, previously stated she would make do with the reduced budget.
this decision follows a house inquiry into Duterte’s alleged misuse of confidential funds during her time as both Vice President and Secretary of the Department of Education. Concerns where raised about the management of these funds by her security personnel, who were not designated disbursing officers.