Manila – The House Appropriations Committee postponed deliberations on the 2025 budget for the Office of the Vice President (OVP) for a second time after Vice President Sara Duterte and her staff missed the scheduled hearing on Tuesday.
According to Philippines News Agency, Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Raul Angelo Bongalon, who expressed frustration over the unanswered questions regarding the OVP’s budget and the Vice President’s absence, moved to defer the deliberation. The OVP’s proposed budget, which totals PHP2.037 billion, could potentially face reductions or have specific funds withheld until further clarification is provided. “I move that we defer the termination of the deliberation of the proposed budget of the Office of the Vice President, subject to conditions either number 1, reduce the proposed budget of the Office of the Vice President, and number 2, place certain funds on hold until further discussions are held. I so move,” stated Bongalon.
The controversy surrounding the OVP’s budget includes concerns about how PHP73 million out of PHP125 million in confidential funds was spent within just 11 days in 2022, a matter that has previously led to deferrals in budget hearings. Duterte’s reluctance to participate in the budget hearings was highlighted in her statement that she had already articulated her position during the first hearing and defers to the committee regarding the OVP’s 2025 budget.
This year’s budget deliberations have been particularly contentious. Rep. Elizaldy Co, chair of the committee, accused the Vice President of employing diversionary tactics to avoid addressing issues related to the spending of confidential funds. “The video message of VP Sara is clearly a diversionary tactic. Just like her father, she wants to evade discussions regarding real issues facing her. She does not want to explain,” Co remarked.
House Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe also emphasized the need for the Commission on Audit (COA) to finalize its report on the questionable disbursements, suggesting that Duterte could face graft charges if the expenses are not justified. “More than just allegations of mismanagement, she may be held liable for graft, for possible violation of the anti-graft laws, if she cannot adequately explain and justify the adverse findings, and if the COA does not accept her explanations and justifications,” Dalipe noted.
Furthermore, Co proposed reallocating the OVP’s funds intended for social services to other government agencies, like the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Education (DepEd), to ensure that they are used appropriately. “Should we give her PHP2 billion to help the poor? It should be allocated to the right agencies. We cannot allow another peso to be wasted,” Co argued.
The committee’s decision to defer the budget talks underscores ongoing concerns about transparency and accountability in government spending, particularly in the wake of allegations of fund misuse under Duterte’s oversight.