by Raymund Antonio
Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday, Nov. 14, thanked the Senate for approving her office’s P2.3-billion 2023 budget, including the controversial P500 million in confidential funds, emphasizing how the move showed “confidence” and “trust” on the Office of the Vice President (OVP).
“My deepest gratitude to the members of the Philippine Senate for approving the proposed budget of the Office of the Vice President,” she said in a statement.
Duterte stressed the decision “demonstrates confidence and trust by the honorable senators of the integrity, commitment, and dedication of the OVP to good governance and public service.”
The swift approval from the Senate further “bolsters” the OVP’s “determination to ensure that social services and other government programs and projects reach communities and bring about positive development and provide solutions to the problems of our fellow Filipinos across the country,” the statement read.
This is especially true for “those who are living in underprivileged communities and those battered by natural calamities and armed conflicts,” Duterte added.
The OVP’s 2023 budget is 300 percent more than the office’s 2022 budget at P702 million.
During the Senate deliberation on Monday, only Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel questioned the OVP’s 2023 budget, particularly its P500-million confidential funds, as well as the alleged “replication” of existing government programs by the OVP.
The bulk of the OVP budget will be allocated in its social services program or what it called “good governance program.”
Earlier, Vice Presidential spokesman Reynold Munsayac said that the program will cover free rides, “PagbaBAGo” campaign, food trucks, livelihood projects, and medical and burial assistance.
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