La Union 1st District Rep. Francisco Paolo Ortega V
DEPUTY Majority Leader Paolo Ortega of La Union on Thursday denounced former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte for spreading false claims about the 2025 national budget, calling it a calculated move to push for the reinstatement of Vice President Sara Duterte’s P2 billion budget in 2024.
“Former President Duterte’s allegations of ‘blank appropriations’ in the 2025 budget are pure disinformation. This is a deliberate effort to mislead the public and manipulate the budget process to bring back the P2 billion fund previously allocated to the Office of the Vice President,” Ortega said.
He stressed that spreading fake news is an old tactic used by internet trolls to manipulate public perception.
“Lumang style na ng mga internet troll ang magpakalat ng kasinungalingan. Pero ngayon, mas maalam na ang mga tao kung alin ang totoo at alin ang peke,” he added.
Ortega clarified that the 2025 budget underwent a thorough and constitutional process and was signed into law without irregularities.
“The so-called ‘blank allocations’ are a fabrication meant to sow confusion and undermine the administration’s commitment to fiscal transparency and accountability,” he emphasized.
Congress significantly reduced the OVP’s budget in 2025, cutting it from P2 billion in 2024 to P733 million, reflecting the government’s commitment to transparency and responsible fiscal management.
“Let’s set the record straight – there are no blank allocations in the budget. The reductions made were necessary to ensure that government funds are properly utilized and directed to priority programs that benefit the Filipino people,” Ortega stated.
He further accused Duterte of attempting to discredit the budget process to invalidate the 2025 budget and revert to the 2024 spending plan, which would automatically restore the P2 billion fund of the Vice President.
“This sudden concern for budget integrity is laughable, especially given the unresolved corruption scandals during Duterte’s term, such as the Pharmally fiasco,” Ortega said.
“This is nothing more than a desperate ploy to regain control over public funds.”
“The 2025 budget has been crafted to serve the people effectively and efficiently,” Ortega said.
He reiterated the administration’s commitment to ensuring that every peso is spent wisely, in line with the nation’s development goals.
“Ang administrasyong ito ay nakatuon sa tamang paggastos at walang itinatagong pondo. Huwag tayong magpalinlang sa mga nagpapakalat ng kasinungalingan.”
Ortega also urged the public to be more discerning and vigilant against efforts to exploit the budget for personal or political gain.
“This administration is focused on progress, and we will not let baseless accusations derail our efforts to provide quality services to Filipinos,” he stated.
“The Filipino people deserve a government that works with integrity and transparency, not one that thrives on lies and deception,” Ortega said.
