The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
Senator Joel Villanueva, along with several colleagues, is advocating for an increase in the proposed 2025 budget of the Office of the Vice President (OVP), currently pegged at P733 million as approved by the House of Representatives under the 2025 General Appropriations Bill (GAB).
Villanueva confirmed his stance during an interview in Bocaue, Bulacan, on Friday, where he attended a payout event for the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program of the Department of Labor and Employment.
“I’ve spoken to like four or five members na pareho ng aking pananaw na increasan ng budget ang Office of the Vice President mula doon sa GAB na ipinasa ng Congress,” Villanueva said, emphasizing the need to restore or increase the funding allocation.
The senator highlighted that the OVP’s original proposal of P2.03 billion under the National Expenditure Program (NEP) had undergone thorough review and approval by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
“Para sa akin lang kasi ‘yung more than half na ini-slash doon sa Vice President’s fund ng NEP, hindi ko po talaga makita na makatarungan sa isang opisina na itinuturing nating pangalawang pinakamataas na opisina ng pamahalaan,” he stated.
Villanueva clarified that his position is based on the importance of the office itself, not the personalities involved. He proposed increasing the OVP’s 2025 budget by PHP100 million to P150 million, describing the range as “decent enough.”
He also expressed concern for OVP employees who could face job losses due to the reduced budget, emphasizing the need for Congress to address these potential impacts. Nonetheless, he committed to respecting the Senate’s collective decision on the matter.
Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros, however, has expressed reservations about increasing the OVP’s budget. She emphasized that she would require strong justification before supporting any additional allocation.
“As of today, I would vote against adding to the OVP budget for the reasons I stated. Unless meron talagang super, super, super duper good reason na makumbinsi pa naman ako,” Hontiveros said during a Senate forum on Thursday.
Regarding concerns about potential job losses, Hontiveros said she would need to review the specifics. “Well, of course, ayaw naman natin mawala ng trabaho ang mga kasamang nagtatrabaho sa gobyerno. Pero kung ‘yan ang i-raise na dahilan, hihingin ko ‘yung mga detalye,” she noted, suggesting alternative placements for affected staff in regional offices.
The P1.3 billion slashed from the OVP’s 2025 proposed budget has been redirected by the House of Representatives to other critical programs. These include the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program and the Department of Health’s Medical Assistance for Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients program.
The Senate is expected to deliberate further on the budget in the coming weeks as lawmakers weigh competing priorities against the broader needs of the nation.