Vice President Sara Duterte and Senator Risa Hontiveros engaged in a heated exchange during a Senate Finance subcommittee hearing on Tuesday, where the proposed P2.037-billion budget for the Office of the Vice President (OVP) for 2025 was discussed.
Senator Hontiveros questioned the OVP’s allocation of P1.909 billion for socio-economic programs, noting their similarity to existing programs managed by other government agencies such as the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). She inquired why the OVP chose to implement these programs instead of coordinating with the respective agencies.
In response, VP Duterte explained that her office launched these programs based on public requests and her campaign platforms focused on employment, education, and peaceful living. She emphasized her commitment to serving those in need and asserted that the OVP, as part of the government, cannot turn away people seeking assistance.
Hontiveros then suggested that the OVP consider reallocating its budget to support the existing programs of other line agencies rather than running similar initiatives separately. Duterte responded by defending the allocation, noting that the final decision rests with Congress, while also hinting that national agency programs are sometimes politicized.
The exchange took a personal turn when Hontiveros asked about a children’s book authored by Duterte, leading the Vice President to accuse the senator of politicizing the budget hearing. Duterte implied that Hontiveros was concerned about the book’s distribution because it bore Duterte’s name, which could influence voters.
Senator Hontiveros expressed frustration with Duterte’s remarks, stressing that her question was straightforward and had no political motive. The situation escalated when Duterte mentioned that Hontiveros had previously sought her help in winning a Senate seat, which Hontiveros denied.
Senator Grace Poe, who chaired the panel, intervened to steer the discussion back to the budget, emphasizing the need to focus on the OVP’s proposed allocations.