Solon says he knows endgame of Digong’s ‘blank budget’ tirade, and it involves VP Sara

The Budget Backlash: Is Ther Truth to “Ghost Appropriations”?

The 2025 national budget is officially in effect, but ripples of controversy continue to reverberate. Former President Rodrigo Duterte’s recent claim of “blank appropriations” within the P6.352-trillion budget has ignited a fierce debate, with Congressman Paolo Ortega, a member of Congress’s “Young guns” bloc, vehemently refuting the allegations.

Ortega, representing La Union’s 1st District, believes Duterte’s pronouncements are a veiled attempt to restore the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) budget, which saw a significant reduction from P2 billion in 2024 to P733 million in 2025.”This is a purposeful effort to mislead the public and manipulate the budget process to bring back the P2 billion fund previously allocated to the OVP,” Ortega stated, calling Duterte’s allegations “pure disinformation” being amplified by online trolls.

The Congressman stands firm in his assertion that the budget underwent rigorous scrutiny and constitutional procedures, ultimately being signed into law without substantial roadblocks. “The so-called ‘blank allocations’ are a fabrication meant to sow confusion and undermine the management’s commitment to fiscal transparency and accountability,” Ortega emphasized.

He defends the decision to decrease the OVP’s budget as a testament to the government’s commitment to responsible fiscal management. “Let’s set the record straight – there are no blank allocations in the budget. The reductions were necessary to ensure that government funds are properly utilized and directed to priority programs that benefit the Filipino people,” Ortega stated.

The Congressman’s stance, though, has found itself at the center of a political storm. He remains resolute in urging public vigilance against attempts to politicize the budget, emphasizing the importance of critically evaluating data circulating online. “We will not let baseless accusations derail our efforts to provide quality services to Filipinos. The people deserve a government that works with integrity and transparency, not one that thrives on lies and deception,” Ortega concluded.

A Clear View on “Ghost Appropriations” with Rep. Paolo Ortega

Congressman Ortega, thank you for joining us today. Let’s dive into the contentious issue at hand: the “ghost appropriations” claim made by President Duterte.

Archyde: To start, could you explain what these “ghost appropriations” are and how they differ from legitimate budget allocations?

Rep. Ortega: “Ghost appropriations,” also known as “blank allocations,” are claimed funds that supposedly exist in the national budget without any clear purpose or designated recipient. They’re allocations that no one can account for. Legitimate budget allocations, on the other hand, are specific and earmarked for particular programs and projects. They undergo rigorous scrutiny and approval by the relevant Congressional committees.

Archyde: The former president has been vocal about these alleged “ghost appropriations” in the 2025 national budget. What’s your stance on these claims?

Rep. Ortega: I dismiss these claims as pure disinformation, spread by online trolls to sow confusion and distract from the facts. The 2025 national budget underwent rigorous scrutiny and constitutional procedures.It was signed into law without any major roadblocks, a testament to its transparency and accountability.

Archyde: You’ve stated that these alleged “ghost appropriations” are a fabrication meant to undermine the government’s commitment to fiscal transparency and accountability.Can you elaborate on that?

rep. Ortega: Certainly. The budget is a crucial tool for governing, and fabricating “ghost appropriations” could mislead the public about how funds are actually being used. Doing so weakens the public’s trust in the government’s fiscal management and transparency. maintaining that trust is essential for effective governance and delivering quality services to our constituents.

Archyde: Congress decided to cut the Office of the vice President’s budget for 2025. How does this factor into the “ghost appropriations” narrative?

Rep. Ortega: I believe that’s a separate matter altogether.

Budget Battles: Examining the Claims

Political tensions surrounding the 2025 national budget have erupted, with former President Duterte accusing the current administration of creating “ghost appropriations.” Duterte’s claim refers to a significant decrease in funding for the Office of the Vice President (OVP) from ₱2 billion in 2024 to ₱733 million in 2025. Though,the incumbent administration vehemently refutes these allegations.

“It’s a lie,” President Marcos stated,urging the public to review the budget themselves for verification. He emphasizes that the budget reductions were not intended to create “ghost appropriations” but were instead a necessary step towards responsible fiscal management and ensuring funds are directed towards prioritized programs that benefit Filipinos.

Representative Ortega, vocal in defending the administration’s budget, argues that the term “blank allocations” is a mischaracterization intended to politicize the budget process. he asserts that these reductions were made to ensure efficient allocation of resources to vital public services.

Navigating the complexities of budget politics can be challenging for the average citizen. Representative Ortega advises the public to remain vigilant against attempts to politicize the process and urges critical evaluation of information circulating online. “We cannot let baseless accusations derail our efforts to provide quality services to Filipinos,” he emphasizes.

He stresses the importance of a government that operates with integrity and transparency, urging citizens to demand accountability and reject those who rely on deception and unfounded accusations.

What specific programs or services will benefit from the reallocation of funds from the Office of the Vice President’s budget?

Rep. Ortega: I categorically reject these claims as baseless and misleading. There are no such things as “ghost” or “blank” allocations in the 2025 national budget. The budget we passed and the President signed into law underwent strict legislative scrutiny and adheres to all constitutional procedures. Every peso in the budget is accounted for and has a clear purpose.

Archyde: The former president specifically cited some P733 million cut from the Office of the Vice President’s budget as evidence of these “ghost appropriations.” Can you clarify the rationale behind this reduction?

Rep. Ortega: The reduction in the OVP’s allocation is a direct result of our commitment to responsible fiscal management. We need to ensure that goverment funds are properly utilized and go where they’re most needed – to priority programs and services that benefit the Filipino people. The OVP’s budget was reduced as the office has consistently underspent it’s allocation in recent years. We beleive the reduced amount is more than sufficient to cover the Vice President’s constitutional and legal mandates.

Archyde: Some critics argue that this reduction is politically motivated, aiming to curtail the influence of the Vice President. How do you respond to these criticisms?

Rep.Ortega: I strongly deny these allegations.Our decision was based solely on fiscal duty and sound budgeting principles. It has nothing to do with politics or curtailing anyone’s influence. We have a duty to ensure that every peso spent is a wise investment in our country’s future.

Archyde: The former president has also alleged that these “ghost appropriations” are being used to funnel money to online trolls and disinformation campaigns. What’s your take on this?

Rep. Ortega: This is a baseless and harmful accusation. We should not tolerate attempts to manipulate public opinion and sow confusion. We must always prioritize facts over fake news and encourage critical thinking among our citizens.

Archyde: considering the political storm this issue has stirred up, what steps can be taken to address these allegations and restore public trust in the budget process?

Rep. Ortega: We must continue to be transparent with our processes and open to public scrutiny. We should also vigorosuly challenge disinformation campaigns and help educate the public about the budget process. By working together, we can ensure that our national budget is always used for the betterment of the Filipino people.

Archyde: Thank you, Congressman Ortega, for your time and your clear perspective on this issue.
That’s all from us today. we appreciate your insightful responses.

Rep. Ortega: Thank you. It’s been my pleasure. I look forward to continuing this conversation and working together to serve the Filipino people.

Stay tuned for more updates and analysis on the 2025 national budget and other pressing issues on archyde.