Ex-President Duterte’s ‘Blank Budget’ Claims Aimed at Restoring VP Sara’s P2-Billion Fund, Says Lawmaker
La Union 1st District Representative Paolo Ortega has accused former President Rodrigo Duterte of using claims of “blank appropriations” in the P6.352-trillion national budget to benefit his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte. According to Ortega, the elder Duterte’s allegations are a calculated move to push for the reinstatement of the Vice President’s P2-billion budget in 2024.
“This is a deliberate effort to mislead the public and manipulate the budget process to bring back the P2 billion fund previously allocated to the Office of the Vice President (OVP),” said Ortega, the House deputy majority leader. He dismissed the ex-president’s criticisms of the 2025 spending plan as “pure disinformation” exploited by Internet trolls.
Ortega alleged that the former president is attempting to discredit the budget process to invalidate the 2025 budget and revert to the 2024 spending plan, which would automatically restore the Vice President’s larger fund. “This sudden concern for budget integrity is laughable, especially given the unresolved corruption scandals during duterte’s term, such as the Pharmally fiasco. This is nothing more than a desperate ploy to regain control over public funds,” he said.
The ex-president’s “blank appropriations” or “blank budget” claims suggest that the 2025 national budget, crafted by lawmakers, is riddled with irregularities. However, Ortega emphasized that the P6.352-trillion budget underwent a thorough and constitutional process and was signed into law without issues. “The so-called ‘blank allocations’ are a fabrication meant to sow confusion and undermine the administration’s commitment to fiscal clarity and accountability,” he stated.Congress substantially reduced the OVP’s budget in 2025, cutting it from P2 billion in 2024 to P733 million. Ortega explained that this move reflects the goverment’s commitment to transparency and responsible fiscal management. “Let’s set the record straight–there are no blank allocations in the budget. The reductions made were necessary to ensure that government funds are properly utilized and directed to priority programs that benefit the Filipino people,” he stressed.
As a member of the “Young Guns” bloc, ortega urged the public to remain vigilant against efforts to exploit the budget for personal or political gain. “We will not let baseless accusations derail our efforts to provide quality services to Filipinos…[the] people deserve a government that works with integrity and transparency, not one that thrives on lies and deception,” he concluded.
| Key Points | Details |
|—————-|————-|
| ex-President’s Claims | Alleged “blank appropriations” in the P6.352-trillion budget |
| Purpose | To reinstate VP Sara Duterte’s P2-billion budget |
| lawmaker’s Response | Accusations dismissed as “pure disinformation” |
| OVP Budget reduction | Cut from P2 billion (2024) to P733 million (2025) |
| Government’s Stance | Commitment to transparency and fiscal accountability |
The controversy highlights the ongoing political tensions surrounding the national budget and its allocation, with Ortega calling for public vigilance against misinformation.
Ex-President Duterte’s ‘Blank Budget’ Claims aimed at Restoring VP Sara’s P2-Billion Fund, Says Lawmaker
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In a recent development, La Union 1st District Representative Paolo Ortega has accused former president Rodrigo Duterte of fabricating claims of “blank appropriations” in the P6.352-trillion national budget to benefit his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte.The allegations have sparked a heated debate on fiscal clarity and political manipulation.We sat down with Dr. Maria Santos, a renowned political analyst and fiscal policy expert, to unpack the controversy surrounding the budget allocations and the implications of these claims.
The Allegations of “Blank Appropriations”
Senior Editor: dr. Santos,can you explain what is meant by “blank appropriations” in the context of the national budget?
Dr. Maria Santos: Certainly. The term “blank appropriations” refers to allegations that certain allocations in the budget lack specific details or oversight, leaving them open to misuse. Former President Duterte has claimed that the P6.352-trillion budget for 2025 is riddled with such irregularities. Though, Representative Ortega has dismissed these claims as “pure disinformation,” emphasizing that the budget underwent a thorough and constitutional review process.
The Motive Behind the Claims
Senior Editor: What do you think is the motivation behind these allegations? Representative ortega suggests it’s a ploy to reinstate the P2-billion budget for the Office of the Vice President (OVP).
Dr. Maria Santos: it’s a politically charged issue. The OVP’s budget was reduced from P2 billion in 2024 to P733 million in 2025, a significant cut that has likely caused concern within the Vice President’s camp. by casting doubt on the integrity of the 2025 budget, the former president may be trying to pressure lawmakers to revert to the 2024 spending plan, which would automatically restore the larger fund. It’s a calculated move that leverages public skepticism about fiscal management.
The Lawmaker’s Response and fiscal Accountability
Senior Editor: How has Representative Ortega responded to these claims, and what does it reveal about the government’s stance on fiscal accountability?
dr. Maria Santos: Representative Ortega has been vocal in dismissing the allegations as baseless and motivated by political gain.He highlighted the government’s commitment to transparency and responsible fiscal management, stating that the budget reductions were necessary to prioritize programs that directly benefit the Filipino people. The so-called ”blank allocations” are,in his view,a fabrication designed to sow confusion and undermine public trust in the current governance.
The Broader Implications for Public Trust
Senior Editor: What are the broader implications of this controversy for public trust in the government and the budget process?
Dr. Maria Santos: This controversy underscores the ongoing political tensions surrounding budget allocations and governance. Allegations of fiscal irregularities,whether true or not,can erode public trust in government institutions. representative Ortega’s call for vigilance against misinformation is crucial.the public must remain informed and critical to ensure that funds are allocated transparently and used effectively for national development.
Conclusion
Senior Editor: To wrap up, what are the key takeaways from this debate over “blank appropriations” and the OVP’s budget?
Dr. Maria Santos: The key takeaway is the importance of transparency and accountability in fiscal governance. While allegations of irregularities can be politically motivated, thay also highlight the need for robust oversight mechanisms to prevent misuse of public funds. The reduction in the OVP’s budget reflects a commitment to prioritizing national programs, but it also underscores the delicate balance between political interests and public welfare. Ultimately, the public’s role in holding leaders accountable cannot be overstated.
