OVP seeks higher budget for 2026 - spokesperson

Metro Manila, Philippines - The Office of the Vice President (OVP) is seeking a higher budget for 2026, new spokesperson Ruth Castelo said on Wednesday, July 9.

In a chance interview after her first press briefing in Mandaluyong City, Castelo said the the Department of Budget Management set aside P903 million for the budget request, higher than the P733 million proposed by Vice President Sara Duterte.

She said the DBM initially granted P803.6 million, but the OVP sought more funds.

“Noong nagdagdag sila ng 60-something million, we requested for additional personnel services syempre may cost iyon, iyong na-mention ko na additional employees para mas ma-fulfil ang functions and other IT equipment,” Castelo explained.

[Translation: When they added 60-something million, we requested additional personnel services, of course, that comes with a cost - what I mentioned earlier about additional employees to better fulfill the functions, as well as other IT equipment.]

Duterte earlier said the office won’t seek higher funding that may unlikely gain support from Congress.

Castelo said the OVP will not have confidential funds this year.

“Hindi na tayo nag-request niyan. If they want to give, they want to give,” she said.

In 2024, the OVP budget was slashed by P1.3 billion after intense congressional scrutiny on the agency spending.

Castelo’s appointment as spokesperson was announced on Wednesday.