Senator questions House ‘consistency’ in trimming OVP budget

By Wilnard Bacelonia, Philippine News Agency

In a virtual press briefing, Villanueva said he respects the decision of the House panel but cited inconsistency in the tradition that has been observed by both chambers of Congress. (File Photo: Senate of the Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA – Senator Joel Villanueva on Friday said he disagrees with the treatment and budget cut made by the House Committee on Appropriations on the Office of the Vice President (OVP).

In a virtual press briefing, Villanueva said he respects the decision of the House panel but cited inconsistency in the tradition that has been observed by both chambers of Congress.

“I have to say, what is really your policy? You have to be consistent. You cannot do it in the first year or second year, and then the third year, mag-iiba. ‘Yun na lang (it will be different. That’s it), the issue of consistency,” Villanueva said.

“If you’re going to do that, keep on doing that the entire duration of your term, nitong (this) term. Kasi as tradition dictates nga, hindi po talaga ginagawa ‘yan (because as tradition dictates, that has never been done).”

Villanueva said Congress must preserve the tradition and continue to implement the rules, regardless of the officials involved.

He recalled that during his time as (party-list) congressman, traditions were always upheld.

“It may not be part of the law, it may not be part of the rules of both houses, but we always submit to the traditions of our institution,” Villanueva said.

Cutting the OVP’s proposed 2025 budget by more than a half, he said, is a big call but sees possible changes along the way considering that it is still in the committee level.

“That’s the decision of the committee. And I just thought consistency will be raised because why didn’t you do that in the first year and second year and you’re only doing it on the third year?” Villanueva said.

“I can say this. She’s the Vice president. I mean, the Office of the Vice President, you slash it by more than half?”

The House Appropriations panel proposed a PHP1.29 billion budget cut for the OVP’s proposed PHP2 billion budget for 2025 due to a lack of information on the proposal.

The “lack of information” was based on the absence of Vice President Sara Duterte and without anyone from the OVP on the second day of deliberations.

Villanueva, however, pointed out that there are lot of ways of looking into how the OVP’s current approved budget was spent and how it plans to spend its proposed 2025 budget.

“You can file a resolution, you can investigate on the confidential funds. That’s what I mean. If you do that as well, well if you do that, that is your decision then, do it consistently do it in other agencies. Hindi lang naman Office of the Vice President ang may kwestyon sa (not only the Office of the Vice President has questions on its) confidential funds,” Villanueva explained.