COA: OVP security group personnel down to 335 in 2024

The Commission on Audit (COA) reported that the Office of the Vice President (OVP) had 335 non-plantilla personnel in its Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group (VPSPG) in 2024, which is fewer compared to previous years.

In 2024, the OVP had 165 filled plantilla positions and 616 filled non-plantilla or detailed positions, with 335 of these coming from the VPSPG.

This figure is a decrease from 2023, when there were 443 VPSPG personnel, and from 2022, when there were 433.

The VPSPG was initially established with 440 members in June 2022 as a separate unit from the Presidential Security Group (PSG) and was reorganized by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) into the AFP Security and Protection Group in April 2025.

In December 2024, AFP chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. stated the VPSPG would be replaced, but Vice President Sara Duterte indicated she would not accept replacement military members and was considering private security agencies due to perceived threats.

As of July 2025, the OVP reported spending P20.68 million on local and foreign trips to cover expenses for Duterte's security and close-in personnel, with P13.207 million for local travels and P7.473 million for foreign travels.