Final 2025 budget: OVP down by ₱1.3B; senators join AKAP

Metro Manila, Philippines – Lawmakers have settled the two most contentious provisions of the 2025 national budget – upholding the ₱1.3 billion cut for the Office of the Vice President and partially restoring the funding for a House of Representatives-initiated social assistance program.

The bicameral conference committee, composed of members from both the House and the Senate, approved the final version of the spending plan on Wednesday, Dec. 11.

Senator Grace Poe, chairperson of the Senate committee on finance and head of the Senate contingent, earlier raised the possibility of public discussions on contentious issues, including the budgets for the OVP and the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP).

However, the committee approved its report following opening statements by Senate and House leaders.

OVP gets P733M

Poe confirmed to the media that the OVP budget was finalized at ₱733 million, despite appeals for an increase from some lawmakers and allies of Vice President Sara Duterte.

“Lahat naman tayo meron tayong wishlist na gusto nating mapagbigyan pero sa huli ang mananaig din yung mayorya. Inesplika ko naman sa kanila na meron namang pagkakataon ang Office of the Vice President na tumulong pa rin,” Poe said.

[Translation: We all have our own wishlists that we want to be granted, but in the end, the majority will prevail. I explained to them that the Office of the Vice President still has opportunities to provide assistance.]

The House approved the substantial OVP budget cut over issues that Duterte disrespected the chamber’s proceedings. Poe said the OVP did not file a formal appeal for an increase, so the Senate upheld the reduction.

Senate embraces AKAP

Meanwhile, House lawmakers successfully convinced senators to restore funding for the AKAP, which aims to assist minimum wage earners.

The House initially allocated ₱39 billion for the program, but the Senate removed the amount. Some senators argued that AKAP had been "inserted" during the previous year’s bicam proceedings and lacked clear implementing guidelines.

Poe said these issues have been resolved, and the Senate contingent agreed to allocate P26 billion for the program.

“Napagbigyan natin dahil nga itong AKAP ay mas lalo nating pinaklaro kung para saan ba ito. So ito ay para pantulong dun sa mga nangangailangan na minimum wage earners na apektado ng mga sitwasyon o kaya ng inflation ngayon. So ngayon mas malinaw na talagang dapat minimum wage earners and below,” Poe said.

[Translation: We approved it because we clarified the purpose of AKAP. It is intended to assist minimum wage earners who are affected by various situations or by the current inflation. Now, it is clearer that the assistance should specifically target minimum wage earners and below.]

Poe said the Senate will now also participate in the program. She noted that the House will get ₱21 billion and the Senate ₱5 billion, but the guidelines remain unclear as the Department of Social Welfare and Development is responsible for its implementation.

“Meron participation ngayon sa AKAP pero syempre ito ay nilinaw natin yung mga guidelines para dito kasi dati ito ay sa House initiative lamang. Pero bilang co-equal body at para naman may transparency, ang Senate ay meron ding pagkakataon na makatulong sa pamamagitan ng AKAP,” Poe said.

[Translation: There is now Senate participation in AKAP, but we made sure to clarify the guidelines for it because, previously, this was solely a House initiative. However, as a co-equal body and to ensure transparency, the Senate now also has the opportunity to contribute through AKAP.]

House Speaker Martin Romualdez thanked his colleagues, despite earlier expressing hope for the full restoration of the ₱39 billion for AKAP.

“Tuloy-tuloy ang programa ng AKAP para sa mahihirap (The AKAP program for the poor will continue),” Romualdez said.