House cuts OVP budget, stresses transparency in PHP6.352T 2025 GAB

Speaker Martin Romualdez of the House of Representatives emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in the use of public funds during the plenary deliberations on the proposed PHP6.352 trillion national budget for 2025.

Romualdez warned against hypocrisy, stating that critics who speak about accountability while ignoring their own misuse of public funds will not be tolerated, as he stressed every peso must be spent wisely and effectively.

The House also cut the proposed P2 billion budget of the Office of Vice President (OVP) by P1.29 billion due to Sara Duterte's refusal to answer lawmakers' questions.

Romualdez urged swift passage of House Bill No. 10800, or the General Appropriations Bill (GAB), emphasizing its critical role in addressing the needs of Filipino people and achieving the government's poverty reduction target.

The budget bill is based on a national spending plan proposed by the Department of Budget and Management and has to go through committee and plenary deliberations at the House and Senate for approval on third and final reading.