Lawmakers on Wednesday described as baseless the allegation that the leadership of the House of Representatives is attempting to manipulate the allocation of the national budget.
In a press conference, 1-Rider Party-list Representative Rodge Gutierrez said the role of Congress is to scrutinize and approve the budget, while the executive is responsible for implementing the budget.
“That’s precisely why it’s called the executive—they implement. We, in Congress, lay out the budget. Once it’s submitted to the executive, they implement it,” Gutierrez said.
Gutierrez said it is "farfetched" to accuse House Speaker Martin Romualdez and House appropriations committee chair Elizaldy Co of budget manipulation.
Vice President Sara Duterte made the allegations in a recorded video interview circulated to the media on the same day she skipped the Sept. 10 committee hearing on the proposed PHP2.037-billion 2025 budget for the Office of the Vice President (OVP).
“To say two people from another branch control the budget’s execution is farfetched. It’s almost offensive because we take pride in our work here in the House," Gutierrez said.
House Deputy Majority Leader Jude Acidre said the real issue here is the lack of accountability, noting that the Vice President could make "better use of the time" by personally explaining to Congress how she utilized the OVP's confidential funds in 2022 rather than coursing it through interviews.
“It is very easy to point fingers, but the issue here is not whether [the budget] is being controlled by so many people. The budget is being prepared by the executive, deliberated by the legislative, it’s a matter of public record, nandiyan siya lahat (it’s all recorded),” Acidre said.
“Ang issue talaga dito ay accountability. Kung masagot niya sana ‘yun (The real issue here is accountability. I hope she can answer that)," he added.
Acidre, however, stressed that the House remains committed to providing the OVP with the necessary resources while maintaining transparency.
The House appropriations committee deferred the deliberations of the OVP's budget subject to conditions: reduce the proposed budget and place certain funds on hold until further discussions are held.
“Our duty is to the people. I don’t think Congress will ever compromise the need to strengthen the mandate of every office, including the OVP. But since the Vice President has chosen not to explain it herself, we will turn to the Constitution and ensure her role receives the resources required,” Acidre said.
The Vice President said her office had already provided the public a “detailed” presentation for the proposed budget for the fiscal year 2025.
On Aug. 20, the OVP posted the proposed budget breakdown for fiscal year 2025, citing 87.98 percent of the proposed allocations for programs and projects.
These include the majority of target allocation for financial assistance and subsidies worth PHP947.5 million for medical, burial, and educational assistance as well as Mag Negosyo Ta ‘Day program; PHP401.2 million for supplies and materials or welfare goods for the PagbaBAGo campaign, Disaster operations, R.I.C.E. program, Kalusugan food truck, Pansarap program, wheelchairs, and fuel for Libreng Sakay, among others; and PHP443.71 million for its Central and satellite offices rent, utilities, maintenance, and support expenses for operations.
The remaining 12.02 percent, meanwhile, shall be allocated for personnel services, equipment, and vehicles of the OVP.
Duterte explained her refusal to defend the proposed budget during the Aug. 27 hearing, alleging that some lawmakers are taking advantage of the opportunity to launch their political attacks against her.
The Vice President also disagreed being called a “spoiled brat” after she let go of the chance to defend the budget in a question-and-answer format. (PNA)
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