On Wednesday, September 30, a Senate panel restored around P45 million to the Office of the Vice President's proposed budget for 2021 after it was cut by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

During the budget hearing, which Senator Sonny Angara, who is the chair of the panel, claimed that it is the fastest discussion on budget proposals they have had so far, that only lasted for around 20 minutes, and the members of the Senate Committee on Finance expressed its eagerness to approve the ₱723.39-million budget proposal of the OVP.

Vice President Leni Robredo told the Senate Committee on Finance that the roughly P44 million was meant for research and development, and for the replacement of her office’s 6 vehicles that could no longer be used. Her office would need P11 million for the replacement of the vehicles.

“The problem there is we couldn’t charge gasoline, so that’s out-of-pocket already – the gasoline used for our operations,” Robredo explained.

"We have about six vehicles which could not be used anymore...For our relief operations, we have been using the private vehicles of our staff already since we cannot use office vehicles anymore," The Vice President added.

Robredo also said that the 6 old vehicles have been parked in her office in Quezon City since she became the Vice President in 2016. Her office’s budget request states that the 6 vehicles “have already reached the end of their estimated useful life.”

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon decided to restore the full budget requested by the OVP for 2021, which is worth P723.39 million that was originally reduced by the DBM to P679.7 million under the National Expenditure Program (NEP).

“I think there is enough justification for us to reinstate the [P44 million] originally submitted to the DBM but which wasn’t included in NEP,” said Franklin Drilon.

“The request of the Vice President is weighty in itself, and you’ve added greater weight, and I’m sure the committee will look kindly on your request,” Angara told Drilon.

“Clearly, these resources are put to good use and will definitely go a long way, and will not go to waste as the track record and the COA (Commission on Audit) reports have shown,” Senator Francis Pangilinan said.

Drilon's verdict to restore the OVP's P723-million funding for next year was supported by Senators Nancy Binay, Kiko Pangilinan, Bong Revilla, and Lito Lapid.

"I think everyone is unanimous, and I think the committee really has to move forward with this," Senator Sonny Angara said.

Drilon asked Robredo to submit a formal letter identifying the amount she is requesting to be officially added to her office’s budget, and what items they would be used for.