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| Sara Duterte (Photo: Wikipedia) |
The Budget Slash and Staff Impact
The House of Representatives recently reduced the OVP’s proposed 2025 budget from over ₱2 billion to ₱733 million. This decision could potentially affect 200 contractual employees, whose jobs are now at risk. Lawmakers have criticized Duterte for not appearing to defend the budget proposal, with some arguing that her refusal to justify the expenditures left Congress no choice but to impose cuts
Allegations of Mismanagement
The controversy centers on alleged irregularities in the OVP's use of confidential funds, as highlighted by the Commission on Audit and the House's ongoing investigation. Key issues include underutilized budgets for programs and questionable fund allocations across OVP satellite offices. These concerns have fueled suspicions of inefficiency and a lack of accountability
Duterte’s Defense
In response, Duterte has dismissed the allegations and investigations as politically motivated. She has defended her office’s actions, including issuing travel orders for her staff, which some lawmakers claim were attempts to evade congressional hearings. Duterte has accused Congress of persecuting her team for political gain, emphasizing the unfair impact on innocent staff members
Political Implications
The dispute underscores the tension between Duterte and Congress, with implications for her political future. The Vice President’s decision to forgo defending her budget may bolster her supporters’ claims of resistance against unjustified scrutiny but could also fuel criticisms of her leadership style and accountability.
Conclusion
The OVP budget controversy is more than a fiscal issue—it’s a reflection of the Philippines’ deeply polarized political landscape. Whether the situation leads to reforms or further divides remains to be seen, but for now, the livelihoods of hundreds of OVP employees hang in the balance.
For more on this unfolding story, see detailed reports from:
ABS-CBN Manila Standard GMA Network/News and Entertainment