VP Duterte at Sen. Hontiveros, nagkainitan sa pagdinig ng Senado sa proposed 2025 budget ng OVP

Summary

In a heated budget hearing, a senator accuses the Vice President of politicizing the budget by including a book authored by the VP for distribution to children. The Vice President defends the educational assistance and other programs, emphasizing the office's commitment to helping citizens without political bias. The debate highlights the tension between legislative scrutiny and executive initiatives, with a focus on the allocation for a book about friendship, 'Isang Kaibigan,' amidst broader socioeconomic programs.

Takeaways

• 📚 The script discusses a controversy over a book titled 'Isang Kaibigan', authored by the Vice President, which is to be distributed to children and has the author's name on it.
• 💸 There is a debate about the allocation of 10 million pesos for the purchase and distribution of this book, which some consider as politicizing the budget.
• 🗣️ A senator is accused of politicizing the budget hearing through their questions, which the Vice President's office finds inappropriate and disrespectful.
• 🤝 The Vice President's office emphasizes the importance of institutional courtesy between the legislative and executive branches during budget hearings.
• 🏥 The Office of the Vice President (OVP) has a 2025 operations budget that includes socioeconomic programs like medical and burial assistance for indigent individuals.
• 💼 The OVP's budget also covers disaster operations, providing relief goods to areas not commonly reached by other agencies, and livelihood assistance for entrepreneurs.
• 🏫 Educational assistance is a new initiative by the OVP, addressing the requests from citizens who struggle with school supplies and food for their children despite free education.
• 🌳 The 'Pagbabago' campaign, which includes providing bags to learners and initiating tree planting activities, is another OVP program with a budget of 100 million pesos.
• 🌐 The script mentions the potential for the OVP to align its budget with existing programs of other line agencies rather than running parallel programs.
• 🤔 There is a call for transparency and simplicity in the budget hearing process, with a request to focus on the content and purpose of the proposed budget items.
• 📈 The Vice President's office commits to sending a copy of the book 'Isang Kaibigan' to everyone in the room to clarify its content and purpose, which is about friendship.

Q & A

What is the main concern raised by the senator about the budget allocation for the book 'Isang Kaibigan'?

The senator is concerned about the politicization of the budget hearing and the use of public funds for a book that includes the vice president's name, which could influence voters, especially in areas where the book will be distributed.

How does the vice president respond to the allegations of politicizing the budget?

The vice president denies the allegations of politicization, stating that the book 'Isang Kaibigan' is not for sale and that the funds are only for the publication. They commit to sending a copy to everyone in the room to understand the content.

What is the purpose of the 1.9 billion allocation for the Office of the Vice President's 2025 operations budget?

The 1.9 billion allocation is intended for the delivery of socioeconomic programs, such as medical and burial assistance, disaster operations, and livelihood assistance for those with entrepreneurial skills.

What is the breakdown of the 771,445 million allocated for the medical and burial assistance program?

Out of the 771,445 million, 600 million is allocated for medical assistance and 17.4 million for burial assistance, which are similar to existing programs by the Department of Health and Department of Social Welfare and Development.

How does the vice president justify the need for the Office of the Vice President to have its own programs instead of relying on existing line agencies?

The vice president justifies the need by citing the most frequent requests received by their office, which are not fully addressed by existing programs. They also mention their oath to serve the people, which includes providing assistance to those in need.

What is the 'Pagbabago Campaign' mentioned in the script, and how is it related to the budget?

The 'Pagbabago Campaign' is a program that involves the provision of bags to one million learners in remote communities and initiating tree planting activities. It is allocated 100 million pesos, part of which is for the distribution of 'Isang Kaibigan' books.

Why does the senator request more information about the book 'Isang Kaibigan' and its content?

The senator seeks more information to understand the rationale behind the government's purchase and distribution of the book at a cost of 10 million pesos, especially considering the public funds involved.

What is the title and theme of the book 'Isang Kaibigan'?

The book 'Isang Kaibigan' is about friendship, as indicated by the vice president's office in response to the inquiries during the budget hearing.

How does the vice president's office plan to address the concerns raised about the book 'Isang Kaibigan'?

The vice president's office commits to sending a copy of the book to everyone in the room to allow them to evaluate the content and understand its purpose and relevance.

What is the senator's final point regarding the budget hearing and the use of public funds?

The senator emphasizes that the budget hearing is about public funds, which belong to the people, and that the discussions should focus on ensuring the funds are used appropriately and not for personal or political gain.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Politicization of Budget Hearings and Book Distribution

The speaker expresses concern over the politicization of budget hearings, highlighting the issue of a senator's questions that seem to focus on the speaker's name being included in a book intended for children. The book is set to be distributed by the government at a cost of 10 million pesos. The speaker emphasizes the commitment to send a copy of the book to everyone in the room the following day and criticizes the attitude of the resource person, suggesting a lack of institutional courtesy. The discussion also touches on the budget allocation for socioeconomic programs, such as medical and burial assistance, disaster operations, and livelihood assistance, which are similar to existing programs of other government agencies.

05:01

🏛️ Addressing the Needs of the People and Disaster Relief

The Vice President discusses the various requests received by the Office of the Vice President, focusing on medical and burial assistance, financial aid, food assistance, and educational support. The VP emphasizes the importance of helping those in need, especially in the context of disasters, and the commitment to justice for every individual. The budget for 2025 is also mentioned, with a focus on the delivery of socioeconomic programs and the allocation for medical and burial assistance, disaster operations, and other services. The VP's stance on leaving budget decisions to the discretion of Congress is highlighted, along with the commitment to work above partisan politics.

10:02

🌳 Campaign for Education and Environmental Initiatives

The script outlines a campaign aimed at providing bags to one million learners in remote communities and initiating tree planting activities, with an appropriation of 100 million pesos. A portion of this campaign includes the distribution of 'Isang Kaibigan,' a children's book authored by the VP, at a cost of 10 million pesos. The VP defends the initiative against accusations of politicizing the budget and emphasizes the importance of the campaign in promoting education and environmental consciousness.

15:03

🗣️ Tensions in the Budget Hearing and Book Content Inquiry

The final paragraph captures the tension between the speaker and Senator Risa Hontiveros during the budget hearing. The speaker criticizes the senator for politicizing the budget process and questions the relevance of her inquiries about the book 'Isang Kaibigan.' The speaker offers to provide a copy of the book to clarify its content, which is about friendship. The exchange reflects a broader conflict over the use of public funds and the role of the Office of the Vice President in addressing the needs of the people.

Keywords

💡Politicizing

Politicizing refers to the act of making political issues or considerations a part of a discussion or process where they may not be primarily relevant. In the video's context, it is accused that the budget hearing is being influenced by political motives rather than focusing on the objective assessment of the budget's allocation. An example from the script is the claim that the discussion about a book authored by the VP is being used to score political points.

💡Budget Hearing

A budget hearing is a formal meeting held by legislative bodies to review and discuss a proposed budget. In the script, the budget hearing is the setting of the dialogue, where the allocation of funds and the justification of expenditures are being debated, particularly focusing on the Office of the Vice President's budget.

💡Resource Person

A resource person in the context of a hearing is an individual who provides expert information or evidence on a specific topic. In the script, the resource person is the Vice President, who is answering questions and providing information about the budget proposals related to the Office of the Vice President.

💡Socioeconomic Programs

Socioeconomic programs are initiatives aimed at improving the economic and social well-being of individuals or communities. The script mentions these programs, such as medical and burial assistance, as part of the government's efforts to support indigent individuals and families.

💡Indigent

Indigent refers to individuals or groups who are impoverished and lack the financial resources to afford basic necessities. In the video's context, the term is used to describe the target beneficiaries of the socioeconomic programs mentioned in the budget hearing.

💡Disaster Operations

Disaster operations involve the coordinated efforts to provide relief and assistance to areas affected by disasters. In the script, the Office of the Vice President's budget includes funds for disaster operations, aiming to reach areas not commonly served by other agencies.

💡Educational Assistance

Educational assistance refers to financial or other forms of support provided to students or educational institutions. The script discusses a new initiative for educational assistance, highlighting the challenges faced by students and their families in affording education despite free public schools.

💡

💡Livelihood Assistance

Livelihood assistance is support provided to help individuals, particularly those with entrepreneurial skills, to establish or improve their means of making a living. The script mentions a budget allocation for livelihood assistance, indicating a government initiative to support small businesses and self-employment.

💡Transparency

Transparency in this context refers to the openness and clarity with which government operations and budget allocations are conducted. The script emphasizes the need for transparency in the budget hearing process to ensure that public funds are properly accounted for and utilized.

💡Institutional Courtesy

Institutional courtesy is the professional respect and cooperation extended between different branches or agencies of government. The script mentions this concept when discussing the expected behavior of resource persons during legislative hearings, suggesting that there should be a mutual understanding and respect.

💡Oath of Office

An oath of office is a formal pledge taken by individuals before assuming a position of authority, often affirming their commitment to serve the public interest. In the script, the Vice President references their oath of office, emphasizing their duty to provide fair and just service to all citizens.

💡Public Funds

Public funds refer to money collected by the government through taxes or other means, intended for the provision of public services and infrastructure. The script underscores the importance of scrutinizing the use of public funds during the budget hearing to ensure they are allocated appropriately and efficiently.

Highlights

Politicizing the budget hearing through questions of a senator.

Commitment to send a copy of the book to everyone in the room tomorrow.

Resource person's attitude not appreciated by the Madam Chair.

1.90 billion allocated for socioeconomic programs like medical and burial assistance in 2025.

771 million for medical assistance and 17.4 million for burial assistance.

Disaster operations aim to provide relief goods to less reached areas.

50 million allocated for relief for individuals in crisis and emergencies.

150 million for livelihood assistance to those with entrepreneurial skills.

Consultation with line agencies on OVP's socioeconomic programs.

Requests for medical, burial, financial, and food assistance received by the VP's office.

Educational assistance launched to help with school supplies and feeding.

Disaster victims seek help from the VP's office for relief.

OVP submits budget to Congress for decision, cannot lodge budgets to line agencies.

VP's office cannot deny help to those in need, regardless of politics.

Budget hearing should focus on public funds, not personal issues.

10 million allocated for distribution of 'Isang Kaibigan' children's book authored by the VP.

Book is about friendship, not for sale, only paid for publication.

Senator accused of politicizing the budget hearing with questions about the book.

Request for senator to repeat question about the book's content.

History and personal issues brought up during the budget hearing.

Need to focus on budget and avoid personal attacks in hearing.

Transcripts

Madam

chair This is an example of

politicizing the budget hearing through

the questions of a senator ang problema

niya kasi nakalagay yung pangalan ko

doon sa libro at yung libro na yan

ibibigay namin doon sa mga bata at yung

mga bata na yan may mga magulang na

boboto at yung pangalan ko ay nagkalat

doon Kung saan man ibibigay yung libro

Madam chair we commit to send tomorrow

everyone in this room a copy of the

book Madam ch Hindi ko maintindihan yung

ugali ng ating Resource person It is a

simple question

ah paulit-ulit na This is

politicizing ang VIP ang nagbanggit ng

salitang boboto Wala akong sinabing

boboto I'm simply asking hindi ko

maimagine

So Much Trouble so much f about a 10

million item na itinatanong ko lang

simpleng What is the book about at ilang

kopya ang bibilihin ng gobyerno sa

halagang 10 milyong piso at

idi-distribute I don't appreciate this

kind of attitude Madam chair ah usually

ang Resource persons natin ay nagbibigay

ng parehong Institutional courtesy sa

legislature na ibinibigay natin sa

executive I don't appreciate this

Dalawang tanong lang po chair para

ngayong araw ah una po i note that a

huge chunk of the ovp 2025 operations

budget 1.90 n billion will be used for

the delivery of socioeconomic programs

such as one medical and burial

assistance program Uh this supplements

other health care programs of the

government to assist indigent

individuals and Families for 2025

771 445 million will be allocated for

the program ah sa loob niyan 600

milliones for medical assistance and

17.4 45 million for burial assistance

which are Madam chair very similar to

the medical assistance to indigent or

financially incapacitated patients

program o ma if iip of the doh and

dswd's assistance for individuals in

Crisis situations or aics ah pangalawa

disaster operations Uh which aims to

provide relief goods to disaster

stricken areas not commonly reached by

other agencies para doon

0.644 million and is also similar doon

naman sa Disaster Risk management

program of the

DSWD third relief for individuals in

crisis and emergencies o providing food

boxes or food items to Families who are

ineligible for ovp other services so 50

million which is also similar to dswd's

aic and last magnegosyo tad livelihood

assistance for those with

entrepreneurial skills Php150 million

which is also similar to Doles naman

integrated livelihood program o dilip so

ang tanong ko po dito madam chair Anong

nag-lead sa ovp na

mag-consult at existing programs ng

iba't iba nating line agencies Madam

chair Yes madam Cher ah Thank you ah

noong Ako po ay nangampanya tatlo lang

po yung ah sinabi ko

at mang pamay para a mga mamamayan nung

pumasok po kami sa office of the vice

president tiningnan po namin ang mga

pinakamaraming requests ng ating mga

kababayan unang-una po ang lagi po

naming natatanggap na request ay medical

and burial assistance pangalawa po ay

financial assistance pangatlo lagi

silang humihingi ng tulong sa pagkain at

pang-apat very recently sa tali ng

mga mga requests no yes sa tali ng mga

requests is yung educational assistance

na sinasabi ng mga kababayan natin

sinasabi namin lagi sa kanila libre

naman yung public schools ngayon ay

libre na rin yung um higher educational

institutions pero sinasabi nila

nahihirapan kas sil kasi sila sa plete

nahihirapan sila sa pabaon ng mga bata

at sa pagkain ng mga bata kaya meron

kaming bago ito yung educational

assistance at ang ang panghuli naman

lagi naming natatanggap na request

galing sa ating mga kababayan ay Kapag

sila ay ah naging biktima ng disaster

whether manmade or natural disasters so

Sila po ay lumalapit ah sa office of the

vice president Totoo po merong mga ibang

local government units at ibang National

government agencies na ganito po ang

kanilang programa pero po nung ako ay

umupo as a Vice President I I took an

oath and doon sa oath I said that I will

do justice to every Man so hindi po kami

pwedeng humindi sa mga tao na humihingi

ng tulong lalong-lalo na ay kaparte ng

gobyerno ang Office of the vice

president Salamat ah VP Madam chair ah

sabi nga ng VP Madam chair

ah Libre na yung

ah public school Libre na rin yung

higher Education bagamat ni note nila na

sinasabi nung mga nagre-request na

nahihirapan pa rin sila sa ilang mga

programs na naka-log sa ilalim nung

libreng ah edukasyon na iyan kaya ang at

ah ah kinonsider nilang mag-launch ng

ganitong mga ah katulad na na programs

ah i-consider ba ng VP na i- lodge na

lang yung mga budgets nitong mga

programa doun na lang sa mga line

agencies natin tapos mag-request na lang

ang ovp ng allocation para insync sa

priorities ng executive department sa

halip na magkaroon pa ng hiwalay pero

magkatulad naman na programa madam

Madam shair We only submit the Budget

and we leave it to the discretion of all

the members of Congress to decide on the

budget we can only propose a budget for

the office of the vice president pero

magbibigay po ako ng halimbawa kung

ganon po ang gagawin natin tulad po ng

ax ng

DSWD kapag meron po kaming

ah nirefer o bibigyan ng endorsement ng

Aika sa DSWD kadalasan po nasagot sa

amin ay hindi pwede dahil ah galing yan

sa office of the vice president at

kalaban yan Minsan po totoo yan na po

pulitika ang assistance para sa ating

mga kababayan kaya po uulitin

ko ang mga tao naman kasi hindi sila

tumitingin sa pulitika tumitingin lang

sila na itong opisina na ito ay opisina

ng gobyerno at pwede kaming humingi ng

tulong doon and so I go back to the oath

that I shall do justice to every man at

kaya po kami Nandito at kaya po kami

merong mga ganito na mga projects sa

office of the vice

president ah Salamat VP Madam chair

wine-welcome ko yung sinabi nila na

um the VP would leave it to the

discretion of the members of Congress Ah

medyo nagitla ako nung sinabing

ah Minsan ag may

nire-refresh

level ng professionalism we demand of

ourselves ay ah resumption of regularity

ine-expect natin sa lahat ng members ng

executive lalo na when they are working

together kaya ah gaya ng sinabi ko

kanina wine-welcome ko yung sinabi ni VP

na ah Uh They would leave it to the this

Uh this Question of the members of

Congress and tayo naman ay hindi tayo um

bibitaw sa mahigpit nating

pag-enroll abortion with each other na

naaayon talaga sa sa tamang standards Uh

above above Uh partisan politics um and

therefore at the proper time Madam chair

ah gagwa ako ng proper motion para i-log

yyung budgets ng mga programang ito sa

line agencies na may klarong ah

ah opportunity for ovp na mag-request

for allocation As for other Uh offices

in the executive yung huling tanong ko

sa ngayon Madam chair ah for

2025 one of the ovp programs pagbabago

campaign a million learners entries

involves the provision of bags to 1

million learners in remote communities

while initiating tree planting

activities Uh this gets an appropriation

of Php100 million part of this campaign

is an allocation of 10 million for the

distribution of isang kaibigan books a

children's book authored by the VP Ah

pwede po bang sabihin ni VP sa

atin more tungkol sa librong ito let me

make a re bottle and another example of

politicizing the budget of the

government ito pong sinabi ni senator

ros na the proper time she make a motion

to lodge the budget we requested budget

of the ovp to the other agencies let me

just quote senator Risa during the

akbayan

Congress Alam ko po na ang Daming kalat

ni Duterte na hirap na hirap tayong

linisin ang kadiliman noong panahon niya

ay talaga namang nanuot sa ating lipunan

para man sa na napakahirap tanggalin at

habang ang anak niya ay may kap

Pangyarihan pa hindi magiging madali ang

ating laban while VP sar is in power the

threat of a full blown thetic comeback

is still a very real and present danger

for one they are supported by one major

superpower China so that is an example

of politicizing the budget

of the government May we request Madam

chair that senator r veras repeat the

last question I will certainly if you Uh

request Madam Cher repeat my question

dahil walang kinalaman sa Kasasabi lang

ng VP ngayon

ah Alam nating lahat na miyembro ng

iba't ibang partido yung speeches natin

sa ating mga kamiyembro sa mga party

congresses ay hiwalay

na event dito sa budget debates so I

really take Exception doun sa sinabi ni

VP na rebat iyan dahil halimbawa ito sa

politicizing in fact wala akong tinanong

tungkol sa china o kahit sino pa Mang

ibang bansa dito sa budget hearing na to

I am asking about yung National budget

na ipapasa natin sa Kongreso para sa

bansang Pilipinas sa taong 2025 at ang

pangalawang at huling tanong ko sa

ngayon before i make at the proper time

propose an amendment which may or may

not be accepted by the Chair and by the

colleagues

para nga mas i-align ang mga kaperahan

natin lalo na't masikip ang ah fiscal

space natin doon sa mga appropriate

program sa appropriate agencies na

malayang-malaya ang ovp makipag partner

sa kanila tulad ng Sino pang opisina sa

executive ang tanong ko po ay ilang mga

libro ng isang kaibigan ay bibilihin at

idi-distribute at ano if the VP could

tell us more about the contents ng

librong ito Madam

chair Madam chair um the book is not for

sale We only pay for the publication of

the book and um We will send senator

antio sa copy so that she will know what

is the content of the book Oh um this

Question is not only for me Madam chair

Para rin para sa mga kasama dito sa

budget hearing ah baka baka ilang araw

pa Bago mapadala at mabasa ko I

certainly will but I am asking a

question ah bilang isang mambabatas sa

head of agency ng isang opisina sa

executive dito sa budget hearing na to

simpleng tanong Tell us more about the

book isang kaibigan at ilang kopya nito

ang bibilihin ng gobyerno sa halagang

ph1 milyong piso at idi-distribute sa

kasama ng ah mga bag sa 1 million

learners sa remote communities Madam

chair

Madam

chair This is an example of

politicizing the budget hearing through

the questions of a senator ang problema

niya kasi nakalagay yyung pangalan ko

doon sa libro at yung libro na yan

ibibigay namin doon sa mga bata at yung

mga bata na yan may mga magulang na

boboto at yung pangalan ko ay nagkalat

doon sa kung sa saan man ibibigay yung

libro Madam chair we commit to send

tomorrow everyone in this room a copy of

the

book Madam Cher hindi ko maintindihan

Iyung ah ugali ng ating Resource person

It is a simple question

ah paulit-ulit na This is

politicizing ang VP ang nagbanggit ng

salitang boboto Wala akong sinabing

boboto I'm simply asking hindi ko

ma-imagine we're making So Much Trouble

so much fus about a 10 million item na

itinatanong ko lang simpleng What is the

book about at ilang kopya ang bibilihin

ng gobyerno sa halagang 10 milyong piso

at idi-distribute I don't appreciate

this kind of attitude Madam chair Uh

usually ang Resource persons natin ay

nagbibigay ng parehong Institutional

courtesy sa legislature na ibinibigay

natin sa executive I don't appreciate

this kind of attitude Do you have aam

chair Yes madam chair hindi ko rin

maintindihan ang ugali ni senator Risa

ontiveros and um I do not appreciate ano

yung sinabi niya I do not appreciate

this kind of behavior and attitude Madam

Sher Nong 2016 tumatakbo si senator Risa

ontiveros na senator Nakailang talo na

siya so dalawa Madam Cher Okay dalawa

Natatakot siya sa pangatlong talo niya

kaya Pumunta siya sa Davao humingi siya

ng tulong tinulungan siya ng isang

Kagawad ng Davao na ngayon hindi na siya

sinusuportahan humingi siya ng tulong sa

akin thinking na hindi mananalo si

President Rodrigo

Duterte Kinausap niya ako ng kinausap

doon sa law office ko sa Davao City

Sabi ko sa kaniya Oh sige ah tutulungan

kita tsinika niya ako ng tsinika tapos

umalis

siya

Syempre hindi naman siya tumutulong kay

pangulong Duterte hindi din totoo yung

sinabi ko natutulungan kita tinex niya

ako pwede ba akong mag-follow up sa

hinihingi kong tulong sa boto diyaan sa

Davao City so Sabi ko sa kanya okay sige

so Tinawagan ko

at sinabihan ko at pinakiusapan ko ng

pinakiusapan si former Congressman milen

Garcia Sabi ko sa kanya kg tulungan mo

ito Bigyan mo na lang ng ilang Barangay

mo at ilang mga leaders mo Ayaw pa siya

tulungan ni former Congressman milen

Garcia pinakiusapan ko ulit kg Please

tulungan mo na lang nanalo na siya at

nung nanalo siya Anong ginawa niya na

siya ang pinakaunang umatake kay

President Rodrigo Duterte Anong tawag sa

ugaling

ganito um with the with the with do

respect to our Resource persons and also

our colleagues I think this doesn't

really I I understand there's history

among all of us here But I think that we

should really Stick to the Budget and I

think Uh this is just being very

objective I I would like to ask also Uh

since we're going to be furnished a copy

tomorrow we can Look at it and evaluate

What the content of the book is um But

maybe just a general we won't ask line

by line Ano ba yyung libro na iyan but

tell me is it for Uh Good manners and

right conduct That's fine um is it

science is it history so maybe just a

general one so we can just answer it

because I understand that every office

will have Its Own an initiative so but

then I don't think it's also wrong for

us to be curious what it is about so

just a general one any of the und

secretaries can Uh tell me uh what the

topic of the book is is it history is it

What is it isang

kaibigan Madam chair The explanation is

in the title isang kaibigan It's about

friendship Okay then That's for the

record It's about friendship Madam chair

just the last point okay so kung sana

ganun yung naging sagot sa simula pa '

ba napakasimple simpleng tanong dapat

simpleng Sagot nagkuwento pa ng kwento

na sinabi dati na walang kinalaman ah sa

tanong ko ah just Uh for the record Uh

as a last point Madam chair This is

public funds and we're making inquiries

Uh about them budget hearing po ito

Hindi po lahat about you pera po ito ng

taong bayan for the record Madam sh

Thank you madam