Senate OKs 2026 budget of VP Sara Duterte in just a matter of minutes.
VP SARA DUTERTE – The Senate approved the Office of the Vice President’s proposed 2026 budget in just minutes.
On Thursday, the Senate restored the amount of the Office of the Vice President’s 2026 budget to PHP 889 million. This is the original amount in the National Expenditure Program. Earlier, the House of Representatives reduced it to PHP 733 million.
In under five minutes, Senator JV Ejercito moved to end deliberations on the OVP budget, and Senate President Tito Sotto III granted the motion after no senator objected.
During the event, Senator Robin Padilla, a known ally of the Dutertes, expressed his thanks to his colleagues for keeping and increasing the OVP’s funding. He said, “Sa lahat ng bumubuo at lahat ng senador, salamat at ‘di nagmula sa ating bulwagan ang pang-iipit sa VP. Salamat at pinatutunayan ko po na napalaki ng naitulong ng ating pangalawang pangulo.”
The Senate Finance Committee allocated extra funds for socio-economic projects and stakeholders, covering travel costs, supplies and materials, professional services, and financial aid or subsidies.
Vice President Sara Duterte was also present to represent her office. She spoke with the Senate reporters, but refused to answer any questions. According to her, she will address issues next year and instead offered holiday greetings. She also thanked the senators for swiftly approving the budget of her office for 2026.
“We would like to thank the Senate for approving the OVP year 2026 budget,” she said.
To recall, the House and the Vice President still have an issue regarding the misuse of the confidential funds of Duterte. Previously, the second-in-command stated that this allegation was politically motivated.
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