Senate OKs 2025 budget, leaves OVP, AKAP funding to bicam

Metro Manila, Philippines – The Senate approved its version of the proposed P6.352 trillion national budget for next year, leaving two controversial funds for the bicameral conference committee to resolve.

Senator Grace Poe, chairperson of the committee on finance, said the Office of the Vice President’s budget remains at P733 million, similar to the amount in the House-approved General Appropriations Bill (GAB), following a P1.3 billion reduction.

Earlier, senators were mixed on raising the OVP budget following Vice President Sara Duterte’s outbursts and threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Another contentious item, the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program to assist minimum wage workers, has zero funding consistent with the National Expenditure Program submitted by the Palace. The House allocated P39 billion for the program, while the Senate panel recommended its deletion from the 2025 spending plan as it overlaps other social assistance programs.

“For now, OVP is at GAB level while AKAP is restored to the NEP level. We need to consult our House counterparts on these items,” Poe said in a text message to reporters.

She made the statement after Senate approval of the GAB on third and final reading. Eighteen senators voted in favor, no one opposed, and Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III abstained.

Pimentel reiterated his stance that the budget bill should not be certified as urgent by the president, allowing second and third readings on the same day, unless the country is facing an emergency as stated in the Constitution.

He also called for vigilance during the meetings of the bicameral conference committee, which will reconcile the House and Senate versions of the budget. He urged his colleagues to closely monitor controversial provisions, such as the House-initiated AKAP, the housing program for the homeless, and the Transportation Department’s delayed projects, among others.

His ally, Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros voted yes to the Senate version of the 2025 budget.

“The Senate minority had its initial reservations about the 2025 NEP and during the budget debates, I voiced my concerns about the transfer of key priority programs to unprogrammed appropriations and the ‘raiding’ of PhilHealth funds,” Hontiveros said.

“Gayunman, masaya ako na nagpahayag ng pakikiisa ang ilan sa ating kasamahan sa Senado tungo sa aking matagal nang panawagan para sa mas bukas, inklusibo at transparent na budget bicam process, para maiwasan din ang gulatan at kontrobersiya,” she added.

[Translation: Nevertheless, I am happy that some of our colleagues in the Senate have expressed their support for my long-standing call for a more open, inclusive, and transparent budget bicam process, in order to avoid surprises and controversies.]

The bicameral committee has long been criticized for large insertions. Earlier, Senator Imee Marcos wrote to Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero urging measures to ensure transparent bicam proceedings. She proposed electing all finance committee vice-chairpersons as members of the bicam so that they are informed of amendments concerning the agencies they oversee.

“All major bicam amendments to the GAB shall be discussed openly among the members,” Marcos wrote.