Assistant Minority Leader and Camarines Sur Representative Gabriel Bordado Jr. today called on Vice President Sara Duterte to address the questions raised by legislators rather than resorting to histrionics.
This statement comes after the Vice President again failed to appear at the congressional budget deliberations for her office Wednesday afternoon.
Just last week, state auditors uncovered another questionable disbursement of P237 million by the OVP within a span of only seven months.
Bordado drew a stark comparison between the current administration’s handling of funds and the modest, transparent approach taken by former Vice President Leni Robredo.
"I rise today to express my deep concern regarding the current budgetary allocations and spending practices of the Office of the Vice President (OVP), particularly in comparison to the very modest and transparent expenditures during the time of former Vice President Leni Robredo," Bordado said. "This comparison is crucial as we examine the sharp contrasts in budget requests, the handling of funds, and the outcomes delivered by the office over recent years."
Bordado emphasized the significant budget increase under Vice President Duterte, noting that the OVP’s 2025 budget request of P2.037 billion is nearly three times the amount allocated to the office during Robredo’s term.
"Under Vice President Leni Robredo, the Office of the Vice President operated with a budget of P703 million in 2022. Despite these constraints, her office implemented impactful, transparent programs focused on good governance and social service delivery, with every peso accounted for and allocated prudently," he said.
He further highlighted the controversial disbursement of P125 million in confidential funds granted to the OVP in 2022, which was spent within just 11 days.
"This amount was not even part of the budget approved by Congress. It was released through the Office of the President, and its sudden, rapid utilization has sparked justified inquiries," Bordado stated.
He also cited the Commission on Audit’s (COA) notice of disallowance, which requires Vice President Duterte to return P73.287 million due to insufficient documentation justifying the expenditures.
"Why, then, should the OVP be allocated such enormous sums when other agencies are better equipped to deliver these services?" Bordado asked. He also criticized the proliferation of satellite offices under the current OVP, describing them as duplicative and politically strategic.
The Camarines Sur solon urged greater scrutiny of the OVP’s budget proposal, adding that Congress owes it to the Filipino people to ensure their hard-earned money is spent transparently, effectively, and in a manner that truly benefits them.
"I call for greater scrutiny, transparency, and accountability in the disbursement and utilization of public funds," Bordado said.
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