Vice President Sara Duterte appeared alone before the House committee on appropriations for the deliberation of the P903 million budget of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) for 2026. In about an hour, it was quickly approved.
Duterte explained that he was the only one present because many OVP officials experienced fear and anxiety after what happened to his chief of staff in 2024 who was imprisoned after being cited in contempt.
Duterte also clarified that he did not use government money for his 13 trips abroad. According to him, the ₱7.47 million spent was only for the security and staff of the OVP. The AFP decides how many security personnel will accompany him on his trip.
Duterte was also allowed to be interpellated by several members of the minority bloc, and he voluntarily waived parliamentary immunity. However, he refused to answer the question about confidential funds on the advice of his lawyers.
Duterte emphasized that the questions from the Makabayan bloc are part of the political attack against him, especially in relation to the issue of impeachment and the 2028 elections.
