Sara Duterte skips OVP budget hearing at Senate
MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Sara Duterte did not attend the budget hearing of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) at the Senate on Tuesday.
To defend the office’s P785 million budget for 2027 in Duterte’s stead is OVP Chief of Staff Atty. Zuleika Lopez along with other staff members.
“The vice president is representing former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in the interment of our long-serving city planner in Davao City,” Lopez told the Senate finance subcommittee.
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In response, Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian hoped to see Duterte once the OVP’s budget is being debated upon in session.
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“We hope in the plenary we welcome her presence to further defend her budget,” Gatchalian said.
Finance committee chairperson Sen. JV Ejercito echoed Gatchalian’s sentiment before submitting the OVP’s budget for consideration in less than half an hour.
Duterte also did not attend the OVP’s budget hearing at the House of Representatives, which is unlike her previous attendance to both chambers of Congress’ hearings in 2025.
The impeachment trial of Duterte is currently on pause to give way to the budget hearings. /gsg
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