Sara Duterte defends P2.037B OVP 2025 budget before House committee

Vice President Sara Duterte addressed the House of Representatives committee on appropriations regarding the Office of the Vice President (OVP)’s proposed 2025 budget.

Duterte expressed that comparing her budget to that of her predecessor Leni Robredo would be inappropriate and noted a lack of knowledge about why Robredo did not request more funds during her term.

The OVP's 2025 budget allocation is P2.037 billion, an increase from the previous year but lower than in 2023; Robredo’s budgets were significantly reduced to under P1 billion.

During the hearing, Duterte defended the higher number of security personnel assigned to her office compared to Robredo's tenure, citing legal issuances by the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The House committee deferred further budget deliberations due to Duterte's evasive answers and lack of decorum during the hearing.