Solon: No secret funds in proposed budget for Office of Vice President

MANILA, Philippines — There are no confidential funds included in the proposed budget of the Office of Vice President (OVP) for 2027, according to Palawan Rep. Jose Alvarez on Wednesday. 

This was the answer of Alvarez, who serves as the vice chairperson of the House committee on appropriations, when asked if there are confidential funds proposed for the OVP in its budget next year. 

“None. Nothing. So it’s up to the president it he wants to give OVP confidential funds. That’s his discretion,” Alvarez said in an ambush interview after the agency’s budget briefing. 

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The lawmaker also said that the OVP did not request for any secret funds in its 2027 budget. 

During its budget briefing, the OVP presented its proposed budget worth P785.204 million under the 2027 National Expenditure Program.

This amount is significantly lower than the budget allocated in the 2026 General Appropriations Act worth P889.236 million. 

A huge chunk of the proposed budget will be allocated for Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses worth P561.651 million, followed by Personnel Services (P235.776 million); and Capital Outlay (P3.321 million). 

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READ: Marcos has right to confidential funds as AFP commander in chief – Abante

Duterte was impeached by the House of Representatives last May 11 over the following four grounds:

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Alleged misuse of confidential funds under the OVP and Department of Education (DepEd); alleged unexplained wealth; alleged distribution of monetary gifts or payments to DepEd officials; alleged assassination threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Marcos and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. 

As Duterte is facing trial before the impeachment court, the prosecution panel has started presenting witnesses to testify on Duterte’s alleged misuse of confidential funds. /apl