Vice President Sara Duterte's office will get a higher budget for 2026 without confidential funds, her spokesperson said Wednesday.

Ruth Castelo told a press conference that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) gave the Office of the Vice President a budget of P903 million, up by P170 million from 2024. She said no confidential funds were requested.

Budget deliberations for 2026 will start after the 20th Congress convenes on July 28.

"We made a proposal of P733 million for 2026, copying 2025 but (the Department of Budget and Management) DBM gave us P903.6 million so they increased (the budget) to less than 70 or 60 something millions," Castelo told reporters in a press conference in Mandaluyong City.

"And then we requested for additional (budget for more) personnel services. Of course, there are costs for additional employees to fulfill their function and other IT equipment that are needed for the OVP. The final budget given by the DBM is P903 million," she said.

Castelo expressed hope that the Congress will see the need to approve the proposed P903 million budget for 2026.

“We can just hope and pray that they see the need for this budget.” she added. Robina Asido/DMS