VP Duterte skips budget hearing amid alleged attacks

Vice President Sara Duterte and her office skipped budget deliberations for 2025, citing alleged political attacks from lawmakers.

She claimed the House of Representatives had a pre-arranged plan to attack her during budget hearings.

Duterte's absence occurred after she refused to answer questions regarding the OVP's use of confidential funds and a notice of disallowance from the Commission on Audit on P73 million of its confidential funds in 2022.

Lawmakers from the House of Representatives' Young Guns commented that Duterte's refusal to defend the OVP gives the impression she is not interested in her agency's programs or unaware of its proposed projects.

House Deputy Majority Leader Jude Acidre called Duterte's absence a "gross neglect" of her constitutional duty but assured that the OVP will receive a budget responsive to its mandate.

Party-list Rep. France L. Castro stated that Duterte's boycott opened her up to further scrutiny and is a clear violation of her oath of office and a betrayal of public trust, suggesting it could be an impeachable offense.

Castro also called for cuts to the OVP's social services budget due to perceived spending redundancies with the Department of Social Welfare and Development, arguing that funds for overlapping services should be allocated to appropriate agencies.

Sen. Roland dela Rosa defended Duterte, stating she is not a "spoiled brat" and that her patience may have been exhausted.