MANILA, Philippines — Senate Finance Committee Chairman JV Ejercito said the Senate will assess the proposed P785.2 million budget for the Office of the Vice President whether or not Vice President Sara Duterte attends the hearing.
Ejercito said the Senate will examine the OVP’s proposed programs and determine which deserved funding.
“If the OVP comes, that is fine. If it does not, that is also fine. We will properly assess its programs. If we can provide the funding, then we should,” Ejercito said in an interview with DZBB radio.
The Senate Finance Committee is scheduled to take up the OVP’s proposed 2027 budget on Tuesday, Oct. 20, according to the Senate’s budget hearing schedule.
The OVP is seeking P785.204 million for next year, 11.7 percent lower than its P889.236-million allocation for 2026. The office said the proposed budget would support its delivery of assistance and services to beneficiaries nationwide.
“What is important to me is that we properly hear the OVP’s budget and its programs. If the programs are good, we can fund them,” Ejercito said.
The OVP’s budget was approved by the House of Representatives without interpellations, with an OVP representative attending the proceedings.
Ejercito said the OVP should receive the same parliamentary courtesy extended to the Office of the President, despite the political tensions surrounding Duterte.
He rejected calls to admonish the vice president, saying further confrontation would only deepen political divisions.
“Why should we admonish her when the situation is already tense? Why add fuel to the fire?” Ejercito said.
