MANILA – The House of Representatives Appropriations Committee on Wednesday swiftly terminated the deliberations on the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) PHP2.385-billion proposed budget for 2024.
The budget briefing only lasted for 15 minutes after the motion of Senior Deputy Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte (1st District) Rep. Sandro Marcos to end the deliberations early.
"Parliamentary courtesy" was cited as the reason for the gesture, as it can be recalled that the quick termination of budget briefings for the OVP and the Office of the President at the committee level has been a tradition of Congress as a courtesy for both offices.
“In line with the long-standing tradition of giving the OVP the parliamentary courtesy, I move to terminate the deliberations on the budget of the OVP,” Marcos said.
About 21 members of the House panel voted in favor of Marcos' motion.
Three lawmakers from the Makabayan bloc attempted to object to the motion but presiding officer and Davao de Oro Rep. Carmen Zamora maintained that the hearing has been terminated.
The Office of the Vice President's budget is now considered submitted to the plenary for action.
Meanwhile, Vice President Sara Duterte thanked members of the Appropriations Committee of the House of Representatives (HRep) for showing their support to the programs of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) by concluding the budget deliberations early.
"Today's budget deliberations allowed the OVP to present the significant strides that we have made in 2022 -- highlighted by the establishment of the 10 Satellite Offices and two Extension Offices in key areas of the country," Duterte said in a statement.
"We are confident that OVP will be able to continue reaching, serving, and creating meaningful and sustainable changes in the lives of the Filipinos," she added.
Duterte also pointed out that "the OVP has already planned and identified events, activities, and projects" to be covered by its PHP125 million confidential funds as early as August.
"There was nothing irregular or unauthorized about its spending and the required liquidation and accomplishment reports have been submitted to the oversight agencies," she said, urging the House of Representatives' Makabayan bloc to end its "rabid vilification" of OVP over the fund.
"These incessant malicious attacks betray the Makabayan bloc’s lack of respect for the Filipinos being served by OVP and their inability to appreciate OVP’s involvement in the fight against insurgency, terrorism, and social inequality," Duterte said.
She said the proposed budget for 2024 will allow her office to support its operations, continue its programs and extend the reach of various services throughout the country.
The OVP's budget for next year is 1.22 percent higher than its 2023 budget of PHP2.356 billion.
Under the 2024 proposed budget, about PHP181.325 million shall be allotted for personnel services, PHP2.15 billion for maintenance and other operating expenses, and PHP41.25 million for capital outlay. (With a report from Wilnard Bacelonia)
