Sara Duterte Skips House Budget Hearing Over Demands

Vice President Sara Duterte skipped the House deliberations on her office's 2026 budget for the third straight day.

In a letter presented by OVP budget sponsor Jose Alvarez on Thursday, October 2, Duterte said she would only appear if the chamber also compels President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to defend the budget of his office, or if the Department of Justice lifts the immigration lookout bulletin order against several OVP personnel, including Undersecretary Zuleika Lopez.

Duterte had designated OVP Assistant Secretary Lemuel Ortonio to attend in her stead, but lawmakers insisted that at least an undersecretary must defend the agency’s P903-million budget.

House Deputy Minority Leader Leila de Lima called Duterte’s absence a sign of disrespect to both the House and the Constitution. She said she would propose cutting the OVP’s 2026 allocation.

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