Congress should wield power over OVP budget – Koko

MANILA, Philippines — After Vice President Sara Duterte had some heated exchanges with senators and congressmen over her office’s proposed budget for 2025, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III challenged Congress yesterday to stop merely acting tough and instead exercise real power over the OVP’s budget.

Pimentel said Congress should take seriously Duterte’s statement that she would leave it to Congress to decide on her office’s proposed P2 billion budget for 2025.

“She’s repeated that several times, which means she’s serious about it. She also said the same thing in the Senate. She didn’t just say it in this Congress; she said it last year as well, in a more respectful way,” Pimentel said in an interview with radio dzBB.

“Congress shouldn’t just act tough during hearings and then approve the budget as is. If you’re going to show strength, follow through by making sure the budget aligns with the Vice President’s constitutional role,” he said.

Pimentel said that the Vice President herself has repeatedly expressed willingness to leave her budget in the hands of Congress.

He said the 1987 Constitution provides for the Vice President to take the place of the President in case of the President’s death, permanent disability, removal, or resignation from office.

Pimentel emphasized that the Vice President’s primary responsibility is to be ready to assume the presidency at any moment, as mandated by the Constitution.

He noted that the Vice President’s budget should be used for essential preparations – seminars, briefings, and other activities that ensure she is ready to assume the presidency if required.