MANILA, Philippines — The Senate is expected to approve the proposed P6.352-trillion national budget for 2025 this week, but any adjustments to the allocations for the Office of the Vice President (OVP) may only be finalized during the bicameral conference, Senate President Pro-Tempore Jinggoy Estrada said yesterday.
Earlier, the Senate finance committee adopted the House of Representatives version of the budget, which includes a P1.3 billion reduction in the OVP’s 2025 allocation with only P733 million.
Estrada explained that while senators will deliberate on amendments to various portions of the proposed national budget, it is unlikely that the discussions will touch on increasing the OVP’s funds.
He emphasized that the bicameral conference might be the venue for such adjustments, should lawmakers decide to revisit the allocations.
“You will find out this week if the 2025 national budget will be approved,” he said in an interview.
He expressed confidence that the Senate will meet the timeline for finalizing the spending plan.
The P6.352-trillion budget is aimed at addressing critical sectors such as education, health, and infrastructure, while ensuring funding for priority programs outlined by President Marcos’ administration.
Estrada hinted that the Senate’s version of the budget might not include any provision for additional funding for the OVP.
“It’s unlikely that the adjustments will come from the Senate side at this stage,” he said.
The debate over the OVP’s budget stems from questions about transparency and the justification for its previous year’s allocation. Critics argue that some OVP expenses were not clearly itemized, while supporters claim that restoring the funds is crucial to fulfilling its mandate.
Earlier reports indicated that eight senators are supportive of the call to give the OVP an additional budget.
The Senate is set to hold final deliberations on the budget this week, with the bicameral conference expected to iron out differences between the Senate and House versions. The goal is to ensure the passage of the 2025 General Appropriations Act before the year ends.