Senator Bong Go expressed his full support for the Office of the Vice President (OVP), underscoring the importance of empowering Vice President Sara Duterte to serve as a “working Vice President” whose programs directly reach Filipinos in need during the Senate deliberations for its proposed 2026 budget.
“For this year 2025, we pushed to restore the funding. For the record lang po, Madam Vice President, mayroon lang po akong babanggitin lang po sa inyo. For this year, ibig sabihin ito po ‘yung last year na budget deliberation. Gusto ko lang pong ipakita sa screen ‘yung 2025 NEP ninyo na proposed budget, ‘yung 2025 na NEP ninyo, ‘yon po ‘yung proposed budget ninyo for this year sa 2025. Pagdating po rito after the GAB, ibig sabihin after dumaan po sa Lower House, ginawa pong P733 Million. So ibig pong sabihin na nabawasan po pagdating dito sa Senado, ito po ‘yung sa 2025,” Go explained.
The veteran legislator recalled how the Senate had attempted to restore the OVP’s funding after the House of Representatives reduced its proposed budget during last year’s deliberations.
“We pushed to restore the funding for Socio Economic Programs of the OVP which was cut by the Lower House dahil alam natin na malaking tulong po ito sa mga mahahalagang programa ng OVP na may direktang benepisyo sa ating mga kababayan. From the proposed P2 Billion in the NEP, OVP only received P733 million in the 2025 GAA. Hindi napondohan o binawasan po ang pondo sa mga programa na pangtulong po sa ating mga kababayan,” the seasoned lawmaker stressed, explaining that unfortunate decrease in the OVP’s budget this year despite their efforts to restore or increase it.
The senator noted that he even sent a formal letter to then Finance Committee Chair Senator Grace Poe, urging the restoration of the OVP’s budget.
“In fact, I wrote a letter to the Finance Chair, Sen. Grace Poe, to restore funding for the OVP. Nakakalungkot lang po na hindi ito napagbigyan, majority rules dito at minsan po’y small BiCam po ang nagde-decide. Marami po sanang natulungan ito kung na-approve yung (dagdag na) budget,” he reminded, holding up the letter as proof of his effort.
Go emphasized that the Vice President’s position should not be treated as ceremonial.
“Inihahalal po ang Vice President hindi lamang para umupo sa pwesto at maging spare tire, inihahalal po siya para maging working VP.”
“Sa totoo lang po, inihahalal po ang Vice President hindi lamang para umupo sa pwesto at maging spare tire, inihahalal po siya para maging working VP para maglingkod at tumugon sa pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan,” he asserted.
Looking ahead to 2026, Go made clear his strong support for the OVP’s proposed allocation.
“Napakaliit po ng increase, 1% lang po. Pero alam naman natin na marami pong matutulungan.”
“That is why, for next year, I urge the Senate to support the budget of the OVP in full. Napakaliit po ng increase, 1% lang po. Pero alam naman natin na marami pong matutulungan,” he said.
Go also reminded his fellow legislators that public office is a position of service, not privilege.
“Lahat tayo na nasa gobyerno — public servants. We are meant to serve the Filipino people. Basic mandate po ang tumulong, lalung-lalo na po sa mga nangangailangan ng social services. Nakikita ko po ‘yan, mahaba ang pumipila sa kanyang (VP’s) mga satellite office,” he observed, referring to the visible demand for assistance handled by the OVP’s local offices.
Underscoring his support for Vice President Sara Duterte, Go concluded his manifestation by reiterating his call for a fully empowered OVP.
“We must further empower and help VP Sara’s office to respond to the needs of the Filipino people, especially the marginalized sector. Muli, nais kong ipahayag ang aking buong suporta para sa budget ng Office of the Vice President alang-alang na lang po sa mga kababayan nating mahihirap. Let’s support her to be a working Vice President. Maraming salamat po,” he stressed.
