Senate approves OVP funding in mere minutes

The Senate swiftly approved the 2026 budget of the Office of the Vice President on Thursday, but the health and transportation departments faced heavy scrutiny over alleged waste, delays, and lapses in basic services.

Senators breezed through the OVP’s proposed P889-million allocation in less than three minutes, mirroring the quick passage of the Office of the President’s P27.3-billion budget on Wednesday. 

Only Senator Robin Padilla spoke, thanking his colleagues for restoring the funds earlier cut by the House after Vice President Sara Duterte repeatedly skipped its budget deliberations.

Eyebrows were raised, however, when Duterte, who had agreed to face the media, abruptly walked out after greeting reporters, saying she would answer questions “next year.”

The tone shifted dramatically when the senators opened deliberations on the Department of Health’s (DoH) budget. Senator Joel Villanueva flagged the alarming rise in expired and wasted health products — from P95 million in 2020 to P11.186 billion in 2023 — an 11,656.32 percent increase in just four years.

He pressed DoH officials on why billions in public funds were lost to expired vaccines and medicines.

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano chastised the agency for repeatedly delivering vaccines close to their expiration, warning that the practice endangers children and senior citizens. 

He noted that neighboring countries like Cambodia and Laos do not suffer similar delays. “Many LGUs still have no flu vaccines, and when they do arrive, they expire on 31 December,” Cayetano said.

The DoH budget debate was suspended and carried over to the next day.

The budget of the Department of Transportation did not fare any better, with sponsor Senator JV Ejercito fielding a barrage of questions.

Senator Raffy Tulfo urged the Land Transportation Office to regulate e-bikes, which he said now dominate the roads without licenses, registration, or insurance.

“They are becoming kings of the road,” Tulfo said, adding that while e-bikes provide income opportunities, they are causing accidents.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III cited World Health Organization data showing that road crashes are the leading cause of death among Filipinos aged 15 to 29. In 2023, 13,125 Filipinos died in road-related incidents.

Ejercito said he will propose mandatory rider education before a motorcycle license or purchase is allowed. Sotto agreed, saying this should be included in the Philippine Road Safety Action Plan.

Senator Risa Hontiveros pushed for more funds for the Philippine Coast Guard to acquire unmanned service vehicles and multi-response craft, urging the Senate to “find a way” to support maritime safety.

The proposed P191.862-billion DoTr budget includes P141.7 billion for the Office of the Secretary; P44.56 billion for the Coast Guard; and funding for agencies such as the Maritime Industry Authority, Civil Aeronautics Board, and Light Rail Transit Authority.