'WE APOLOGIZE FOR THE INCONVENIENCE' VS. 'THE SMALL BUDGET HAS NEVER BEEN A HINDRANCE TO US'
The Office of the Vice President (OVP) confirmed that no funds were allocated for its Medical and Burial Assistance Program under the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA).
"There is no approved budget for the Medical and Burial Assistance Program of the Office of the Vice President under the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA). We apologize for the inconvenience," the OVP stated on Wednesday, January 15.
The 2025 GAA allocated โฑ733,198,000 to the OVP, with โฑ117,087,000 for General Administration and Support and โฑ616,111,000 for Socio-Economic Program Delivery. Notably, the 2025 budget is higher than all but one annual budget allocated to the OVP during former Vice President Leni Robredo's term.
During Robredo's tenure, the OVP operated with one of the smallest budget allocations among government agencies but consistently received an "unqualified opinion" from the Commission on Audit (COA).
At the House Committee on Appropriations briefing on September 14, 2020, Robredo highlighted her team's ability to maximize limited resources by partnering with private entities to sustain key programs.
"Whatever is given to us, we will make do with that. Of course, we would be able to help more people if we are given more, but whatever is given to us, we work within that budget. We try to pour all our energies to look for private partners," Robredo said at the time. "The small budget has never been a hindrance to us."
Lady Gaga speaking facts during her Grammys speech:
"Trans people are not invisible. Trans people deserve love. The queer community deserves to be lifted up. Music is love. Thank you."