Senate to extend courtesy to OVP in budget hearing

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate finance committee will extend the traditional parliamentary courtesy to Vice President Sara Duterte when it deliberates on the 2027 budget being sought by her office, its chair, Sen. JV Ejercito, said on Sunday.

The chamber is currently hearing the impeachment case against Duterte while also working on the passage of the proposed P7.2-trillion national budget for 2027.

The finance committee is set to deliberate on the Office of the Vice President (OVP) budget on Oct. 20, Tuesday.

Article continues after this advertisement

Asked if the OVP would be given the same courtesy as the Office of the President which defended its 2027 budget last month, Ejercito said: “Why not … the granting of the parliamentary courtesy has long been practiced even before all this political noise.”

FEATURED STORIES

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

READ: Senate finance panel swiftly approves Marcos’ office budget

“So we will extend courtesy to the OVP similar to the courtesy we gave to the Office of the President,” he told radio station dzBB.

Duterte earlier alleged that allocations in the 2027 budget were being dangled to convince senator-judges to convict her and to reward the House lawmakers who had voted to impeach her.

Ejercito, however, said he would not allow the 2027 national budget to be used in influencing the outcome of the impeachment trial.

Article continues after this advertisement

“There’s no truth to that, nothing like that is happening. That’s all I can say. If anyone should know about that, it should be me,” he added in a separate radio interview on dwIZ. “We will not allow that.”

Ejercito said he was hoping that people would not cast doubt on senators “because we’re trying our best to be fair … we have so many problems, so many challenges that we need to face and focus on.”

Article continues after this advertisement

“But this is our constitutional duty. So, rest assured that the national budget will not be used for impeachment,” he said.

Asked if the Senate sees the need to admonish Duterte over her remarks, Ejercito said no.

“Why would we admonish [her when] we already have a tense situation? Why add fuel to the fire? We will not gain anything if we always fight. Our political noise, political bickering are affecting our economy. We have been left behind by other countries because we are busy fighting while they continue to progress,” he noted.

Senators are currently on a break from their duties as impeachment court judges so they can focus on approving the 2027 budget before yearend.

The impeachment trial will resume on Nov. 9, in time for the defense to present its counter-evidence on allegations against Duterte who has yet to confirm if she will attend the OVP budget hearing.

“If she arrives, well and good. If not, it’s also okay, we can understand. We will hear the programs of the OVP properly. If we can also provide the funds they need for their programs, then we will give it to them,” Ejercito said.

“If [she] decides not to attend, let’s see if she has an authorized representative. We know how the situation is, and maybe we’ll take that into consideration—if there is a feeling of awkwardness in relation to what has been happening in the impeachment trial,” he added.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.

Your subscription has been successful.

Ejercito said he may also consult with other members of the finance committee on how they would treat or handle the OVP budget hearing. /cb