Palace: No politics in OVP budget cut

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang belied yesterday any political motivation in cutting the budget of the Office of the Vice President, saying all other agencies were treated the same way.

Vice President Jejomar Binay has complained about Malacañang’s decision to cut his office’s annual budget from P195 million to P177 million.

Binay said the budget was only enough to cover employees’ salaries and office rent, excluding services to the public.

He said the budget cut was an affront to a constitutional office such as the Office of the Vice President, being the second highest office in the country.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda, however, said the budget cut was the decision of the executive review board led by Budget Secretary Florencio Abad.

“It was not only done in the Office of the Vice President. The maintenance and (other) operating expenses of all Cabinet agencies were all cut, including the Office of the President. The purpose for this is to reduce the expenses of the government,” Lacierda said, adding that the move was not specifically directed at the OVP.

“There is no tinge of politics in the budget cut. In fact, we also had a budget hearing (on Thursday). (Senate President Juan Ponce) Enrile was also proposing further cuts in the Office of the President,” he said.