The House of Representatives has approved House Bill (HB) No. 4058 or the proposed P6.793-trillion national budget for 2026 as amended on second reading.
The chamber approved the bill via viva voce or voice voting during the plenary session on Friday.
Among the approved amendments during the session was the proposal to cut the Office of the Vice President’s P902.8-million budget for 2026 by P156 million.
Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima moved to bring back the OVP budget to its 2025 level at P733 million during the second reading for HB No. 4058.
De Lima’s move came after Vice President Sara Duterte repeatedly refused to attend the plenary deliberations for her office’s budget and imposed conditions on the chamber in exchange for her attendance. /mr