The Senate finance subcommittee on Monday approved the proposed P902.8-million budget of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) for 2026.
The hearing lasted less than an hour and ended with no objections from members of the panel.
The proposed 2026 budget represents a 20-percent increase from the P744 million allocated to the office in 2025.
The OVP originally requested P733 million, but the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) adjusted the amount upward.
Sen. Erwin Tulfo was the only member of the panel who raised questions about the budget, asking OVP officials to explain a P39.1-million reduction from the office’s earlier request of P942 million, as well as which programs would be affected by the cut.
Rosalynne Sanchez, OVP director for administrative and financial services, said the adjustment would reduce funding for information and communications technology equipment.
She said the office would reprioritize its procurement plan to stay within the approved allocation.
Tulfo also asked about new or ongoing programs that would be funded under the 2026 proposal.
Sanchez said existing projects would continue, with additional support for the “Mag Negosyo Ta ’Day” livelihood program and disaster relief operations.
She said the Aljanaza Kit Assistance and Sympathy Flower Program would also remain as a separate project under burial assistance.
Tulfo said the Aljanaza program was important for Muslim communities and suggested restoring the P39.1-million cut.
He later manifested his support for the OVP budget.
After Tulfo’s remarks, Senate Majority Leader Migz Zubiri moved to grant parliamentary courtesy to the Vice President.
Zubiri said the office’s budget was modest and should be approved without further questions.
The committee then approved the OVP allocation and endorsed it to the plenary for final deliberations.
