Vice President Sara Duterte admitted that she expects the P903 million proposed budgets of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) for 2026 to be reduced once it is discussed in Congress.
She said she no longer expects additional funds because she said she is the only one leading the administration.
It is worth recalling that Congress reduced the OVP budget from P2 billion to P733 million last year due to Duterte’s refusal to answer questions regarding the use of OVP funds, including confidential funds.
For 2026, the OVP’s proposed budget was increased to P903 million, but OVP spokesperson Ruth Castelo said they will not ask for confidential funds.
Meanwhile, the Vice President denied the allegation of “habitual absence” and insisted that it was baseless.
She also challenged lawmakers to release their own travel records before accusing her of excessive travel.
She said her trips were part of responding to the grievances of Filipinos abroad and to visit her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is currently detained by the ICC in The Hague, Netherlands.
Meanwhile, regarding the impeachment case filed against her, VP Duterte reiterated that she is willing to explain the OVP’s side in the appropriate forum.
Meanwhile, VP Duterte reiterated that she is willing to explain the OVP’s side in the alleged anomalous use of OVP funds in the appropriate forum.
Earlier, the Senate archived the Vice President’s impeachment case after it was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.
