The House Committee on Appropriations has postponed discussions on the proposed P2 billion budget for the Office of the Vice President (OVP) for 2025. This decision followed Vice President Sara Duterte’s refusal to provide clear answers regarding her office’s use of funds.
Zambales Representative Jeff Khonghun moved to defer the deliberations, citing frustration over Duterte’s evasiveness during a lengthy five-hour hearing. The motion was approved without objections, and the panel scheduled a new session for September 10.
During the hearing, tension arose when Vice President Duterte requested the replacement of the presiding officer, Marikina Representative Stella Quimbo, the vice chairperson of the committee. Duterte argued that the discussion should focus solely on the proposed 2025 budget, not on past spending or confidential funds.
“This hearing is about the [proposed] budget of 2025. The P125 million that we know is not in the 2025 budget,” Duterte said, suggesting that the chairperson of the House appropriations panel, Rep. Zaldy Co, preside instead.
Quimbo responded firmly, stating, “Madam Vice President, with due respect, you are not allowed to introduce any motion. You are a resource person in this hearing.” She urged Duterte to directly address the questions about the 2025 budget, particularly regarding confidential funds.
Lanao del Sur Representative Zia Adiong, who is the designated sponsor of the OVP budget, expressed disappointment with the proceedings, stating that it was challenging to defend the budget without clear answers from Duterte. “She tried to avoid questions. It was very apparent… It’s going to be a lot more difficult for me to defend and sponsor the budget,” Adiong told reporters.
Adiong remains hopeful, however, that the next deliberation on September 10 will be more productive and that Vice President Duterte will provide the necessary information to facilitate a thorough discussion.
The hearing also addressed the Commission on Audit’s (COA) notice of disallowance for P73 million in confidential funds spent by the OVP in 2022. Despite being questioned about these findings, Duterte maintained that discussions should remain relevant to the 2025 budget, which does not include confidential funds. She continued to deflect questions on both the COA findings and the OVP’s proposed budget.
Duterte concluded by stating, “I would like to forego the opportunity to defend the budget in a question-and-answer format. I will leave it up to them to decide on the proposal as presented/as submitted.”