MANILA – Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio conceded she is unlikely to secure the full P903-million budget proposed for her office next year, saying political dynamics in Congress all but guarantee another reduction.
“Hindi naman nagbago ang administration eh. ‘Yan pa rin ang Pangulo natin, ‘yan pa rin ang Speaker of the House of Representatives natin. So wala na tayong ma-expect na ibibigay para sa Office of the Vice President (OVP),” Duterte-Carpio said.
The Vice President said the figure came directly from the Department of Budget and Management’s recommendation.
“So kung ano ‘yung in-approve ng Department of Budget and Management, ‘yun din ‘yung submit namin, ‘yan din ‘yung nilagay sa NEP (National Expenditure Program). And of course ang expectation natin is bababaan ‘yan pagdating sa House of Representatives,” she added.
Her remarks come a year after the House slashed the OVP’s proposed P2-billion budget to P733 million, following her refusal to answer questions on spending, including the use of confidential funds. The Senate later upheld the cut despite lobbying from her allies to restore allocations for social service programs.
For 2026, OVP spokesperson Ruth Castelo said the proposed P903-million budget is P170 million higher than the current appropriation, and stressed that no confidential funds are being requested./PN
