VICE President Sara Duterte has asserted that the Office of the Vice President (OVP) will continue its operations even if it faces budget cuts or defunding for fiscal year 2025.
Duterte made this declaration amid reports that the House of Representatives is considering reducing or eliminating the OVP’s proposed budget for the next fiscal year.
Duterte, in a recorded video interview released on Wednesday, September 11 characterized these potential budget cuts as “attacks” against her.
“We heard that there is defunding, that the budget of the Office of the Vice President will be defunded. We also heard that it is possible that they will only give P1 as a budget to the Office of the Vice President,” she stated.
Despite this, Duterte expressed unwavering determination. “We are ready. I am ready in the Office of the Vice President to work even without a budget. Our office is small. Our operations are small so we can afford to work even without a budget,” she added.
The OVP confirmed that the interview took place on September 4 in Manila, but did not provide further details. The first and second parts of the interview were released on September 9 and 10, respectively.
This development comes amidst ongoing discussions regarding the OVP’s budget allocation for the next fiscal year.
The House of Representatives is currently reviewing the proposed budget for all government agencies, including the OVP.
The potential defunding of the OVP has sparked debate, with some arguing that the office plays a crucial role in national development, while others contend that its budget could be allocated to other priorities.
The OVP’s response to these potential budget cuts highlights the ongoing tension between the executive and legislative branches regarding resource allocation and policy priorities.
It remains to be seen how the House of Representatives will ultimately decide on the OVP’s budget for fiscal year 2025.
