Dela Rosa reveals bargaining for higher OVP budget

Metro Manila, Philippines – Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa revealed that he bargained for a higher Office of the Vice President budget for next year, disclosing more details about the all-senators caucus and the negotiations that took place.

Behind closed doors on Nov. 26, senators discussed proposed amendments to the 2025 budget, with lawmakers confirming intense debates over the OVP spending plan. This led to the plenary approval of the budget bill, including the P733 million for the agency, mirroring the P1.3-billion cut of the House of Representatives.

In an online interview on Friday, Dec. 6, Dela Rosa, an ally of Vice President Sara Duterte, recalled his efforts to restore a portion of the OVP budget.

“Sabi ko nga… 63% (cut) ng House of Representatives, pwede ba gawin na lang natin 50 ‘yun ibalik natin 13%? Hindi pumayag,” Dela Rosa said.

[Translation: I said... 63% (cut) from the House of Representatives, can we make it 50% and restore the 13%? They didn’t agree.]

He said he then appealed for the restoration of 3% of the P733 million proposed budget for the OVP, or around P21.99 million, but his request was still rejected.

“Three percent lang ibalik natin para symbolism lang na we are not a stamping pad of the House of Representatives, na hindi tayo sunud-sunuran sa kanila…yun ang pakiusap ko pero ayaw pa rin tayong pagbigyan,” he lamented.

[Translation: Just 3% as a symbol that we are not a stamping pad of the House of Representatives, that we’re not just following their orders… That was my request, but they still refused to grant it.]

Senator Imee Marcos earlier said that a dozen senators appealed for an increase in the OVP budget, but she added that this was "disregarded."

Dela Rosa said those pushing for a higher budget eventually conceded after hearing “strong words” from the Senate leadership, but he did not provide other details.

Senator Grace Poe, chairperson of the committee on finance, previously explained that the OVP did not submit a formal request for a budget increase, and she considered the P733 million adequate for its operations, including the implementation of some social programs.

Meanwhile, Dela Rosa refused to say whether the senators who wanted to increase the OVP budget would also vote against the impeachment complaint against Duterte if it reaches the Senate.

He said senators would review the articles of impeachment objectively.