Estrada urges restoring OVP's P2B 2025 budget

Senator Jinggoy Estrada urged lawmakers on Saturday to restore the Office of the Vice President's (OVP) proposed P2 billion budget for 2025.

Estrada emphasized that the OVP, as the second highest office in the country, deserves respect and adequate funding to function properly.

Days earlier, a House panel recommended slashing the OVP’s budget by P1.29 billion due to a lack of information on the proposal.

Stella Quimbo, senior vice chairperson of the House Committee on Appropriations, explained that the decision was made amid insufficient information about the proposed budget.

Francis Tolentino noted that the final budget will be determined in bicameral conference committee discussions if there is a discrepancy between the Senate and House decisions.

Vice President Sara Duterte stated she was prepared to work with zero budget, calling any reduction an 'attack' on her office.

Duterte assured that despite potential funding cuts, her small office can manage operations without additional resources.