Sara Duterte dodges Hontiveros’ questions, claims senator politicizing budget hearing

Summary

The transcript from a Senate hearing reveals a discussion on the Office of the Vice President's (OVP) 2025 budget, focusing on socio-economic programs. A significant portion, 1.9 billion pesos, is earmarked for medical and burial assistance, disaster operations, and livelihood assistance, mirroring existing government programs. The Vice President emphasizes the need to address citizen requests and fulfill the oath of public service. Tensions arise as a senator questions the allocation for a children's book authored by the VP, leading to a heated exchange about the budget's politicization and the importance of transparency in public funds.

Takeaways

• 💼 The Office of the Vice President (OVP) has allocated a significant portion of its 2025 operations budget, amounting to 1.90 billion pesos, for socio-economic programs.
• 🏥 A substantial sum of 771,445 million pesos is earmarked for the One Medical and Burial Assistance Program to aid indigent individuals and families, with 600 million for medical assistance and 171.5 million for burial assistance.
• 🌪️ 644 million pesos are allocated for disaster operations, aiming to provide relief goods to areas less reached by other agencies, paralleling the Disaster Risk Management program of the DSWD.
• 🍚 50 million pesos are designated for relief to individuals in crisis and emergencies, including food boxes or items, similar to DSWD's assistance programs.
• 💼 150 million pesos are set aside for the Magnegosyo Taday Livelihood Assistance program, supporting those with entrepreneurial skills, akin to the integrated livelihood program.
• 📚 The OVP is considering launching programs that align with existing services from other government agencies to avoid duplication and ensure efficient use of resources.
• 📖 The 'Isang Kaibigan' book, authored by the VP, is part of a campaign involving the provision of bags to a million learners in remote communities and tree planting activities, with a budget of 10 million pesos for book distribution.
• 🌳 The budget hearing discussion highlighted the importance of ensuring that public funds are used for their intended purposes and that the content of the 'Isang Kaibigan' book is about friendship.
• 🗣️ Tensions were evident during the budget hearing, with disagreements on the focus of questions and the handling of the OVP's budget proposals, reflecting the scrutiny and political dynamics involved in the process.

Q & A

What is the primary allocation for the OVP 2025 operations budget?

The OVP 2025 operations budget, amounting to 1.90 billion pesos, is primarily allocated for the delivery of socio-economic programs.

How much is allocated for medical and burial assistance in the OVP 2025 budget?

For 2025, 771,445 million pesos will be allocated for the medical and burial assistance program, with 600 million pesos for medical assistance and 171.5 million pesos for burial assistance.

What is the purpose of the disaster operations budget in the OVP 2025 plan?

The disaster operations budget, amounting to 0.644 million pesos, aims to provide relief goods to disaster-stricken areas that are not commonly reached by other agencies.

What is the relief provided for individuals in crisis and emergencies as per the OVP 2025 budget?

The OVP 2025 budget includes 50 million pesos for relief for individuals in crisis and emergencies, which involves providing food boxes or food items to families who are ineligible for other services.

What is the amount allocated for livelihood assistance in the OVP 2025 budget?

The OVP 2025 budget allocates 150 million pesos for livelihood assistance aimed at those with entrepreneurial skills.

What were the three main platforms of the Vice President during their campaign?

The Vice President's campaign platforms were focused on job creation, education, and improving the quality of life for the citizens.

What is the rationale behind launching parallel programs to existing ones in various line agencies?

The rationale is to ensure that the Office of the Vice President can provide assistance to those in need, especially when other agencies may not be able to reach them, aligning with the oath to do justice to every individual.

How does the Vice President's office plan to handle the budget for programs that are similar to those of other agencies?

The Vice President's office will submit the budget and leave it to the discretion of Congress to decide, potentially lodging the budget to other agencies and requesting allocations for synchronization with executive department priorities.

What is the 'One Million Learners and Trees' campaign mentioned in the script?

The 'One Million Learners and Trees' campaign involves providing bags to one million learners in remote communities and initiating tree planting activities, with an appropriation of Php100 million.

What is the book 'Isang Kaibigan' about, and why is it being distributed as part of the OVP 2025 program?

The book 'Isang Kaibigan' is about friendship and is authored by the Vice President. It is being distributed as part of the OVP 2025 program to promote values and is allocated a budget of Php10 million for distribution to learners.

What was the reaction to the questions about the book 'Isang Kaibigan' during the budget hearing?

The questions about the book 'Isang Kaibigan' led to a tense exchange, with accusations of politicizing the budget hearing and personal attacks, highlighting the emotional and political dynamics within the budget discussion.