VP Duterte absent from House debate, budget cut

Vice President Sara Duterte missed the House of Representatives' plenary debate for a second consecutive day on Tuesday, September 24, causing frustration among lawmakers.

Senate President Francis Escudero said the Senate will take up adjustments made by the House to the OVP's budget for fiscal year 2025, which was slashed by more than half to over P733 million.

House Speaker Ferdinand Romualdez announced Wednesday that a resolution would be made regarding the OVP’s budget amid Duterte's continued absence from budget hearings, leading to the termination of deliberations on the proposed budget for 2025.

CamArines Sur 3rd District Rep. Bordado expressed concern over the sharp contrast between Vice President Sara Duterte's office budget and that of former Vice President Leni Robredo, noting that Robredo operated with a P703 million budget in 2022 while implementing impactful programs.

Bordado also questioned the use of confidential funds (CF) by the OVP, citing COA disallowances and raising concerns about misuse of funds, which could lead to graft or impeachable offenses.