VICE President Sara Duterte and her staff did not attend the House of Representatives’ plenary deliberations on the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) proposed P902-million budget for 2026, reportedly after the chamber refused to meet her demands.
Palawan Representative Jose “Pepito” Alvarez stated that the Vice President had set conditions for her appearance, including a House demand for President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to attend the plenary deliberations on the Office of the President’s (OP) budget.
Duterte also allegedly requested a document from the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability confirming that the Department of Justice had lifted the Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) on several OVP personnel who were previously questioned regarding the disbursement of P625 million in confidential funds.
Alvarez expressed disappointment, stating that the House had given the OVP utmost respect but that no one from the OVP was present. Other House members criticized the Vice President’s absence, with one calling it “appalling disrespect” and another stating that “now is not the time for conditions.”
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