Senate plenary OKs P1.3-B OVP fund cut

Vice President Sara Duterte thanked the Senate for approving the proposed P733.2-million budget for her office, even though it adopted the House of Representatives' P1.3-billion cut.

- MARC JAYSON CAYABYAB

Duterte attended the plenary hearing yesterday for the Senate's plenary approval of her budget that was slashed by the House from the original proposal of P2.037 billion.

Duterte shook hands with the senators before they approved her slashed budget during plenary.

Her ally, Sen. Bong Go, appealed to his colleagues to restore the Office of the Vice President (OVP)'s social assistance funds ostensibly to enable Duterte to provide aid to indigents.

"Let us not paralyze the OVP. While some OVP programs are being implemented by other agencies, there is nothing wrong with giving the OVP funds for its social services, to provide help to those in need," Go said at the plenary.

Another Duterte ally, Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, moved to approve the OVP's slashed budget, seconded by Sen. Cynthia Villar.