VP Duterte defends P902.8M OVP budget amid confidential fund questions

Vice President Sara Duterte defended the Office of the Vice President's (OVP) proposed P902.8 million budget for 2026 before the House of Representatives' committee on appropriations.

She clarified that public funds were not used for her personal travels, with trips from July 2024 onwards authorized by the Office of the President.

Duterte refused to answer questions regarding the OVP's confidential fund expenditures, stating it was part of her defense strategy for an impeachment trial and to protect national security.

The House of Representatives concluded budget deliberations for the OVP in less than an hour, swiftly approving the P902.8-million budget after allowing only two sets of questions from the minority bloc.

This year's hearing was significantly shorter and less contentious than the previous year, where lawmakers had raised numerous questions about the OVP's confidential funds and other programs.

Duterte has been subjected to congressional probes into the alleged misuse of P612.5 million worth of secret funds from her office in 2022 and the Department of Education in 2023, which has been used by lawmakers as indictment for her impeachment.