Vice President (VP) Sara Duterte needs a valid reason for her absence in the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) 2025 budget hearings, House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan said on Monday, September 23.
In a press briefing by the House of Representatives, Marcelino informed the press that they await the VP’s attendance on the final day of the plenary deliberation for the OVP 2025 budget. The plenary deliberation of the 2025 budget for government offices will occur on Wednesday, September 25.
The supposed continuation of the OVP budget hearing was scheduled for Monday at 10 AM. However, the Minority Leader said that the Office failed to give a valid explanation for Duterte’s non-attendance.
“Nagtatanong pa rin kami nasaan ang ating Vice President? Kasi kanina naka schedule kami sa 10:00 AM at walang magandang explanation, hanggang ngayon hinihintay namin, sa araw na ito. Sana ay magkaroon tayo ng pagkakataon (na) talakayin ang ang kanyang budget,” he said.
Libanan said the budget interpolation was delayed, as they were waiting for the VP’s arrival. He added that staff was there to inform them of the latter’s absence; with no written authorization or explanation.
Libanan emphasized the hearing’s importance, stating that a valid reason must be presented before the panel.
Moreover, Libanan said that in the time of a leader’s failure to attend, they must appoint someone who can take over the place so that the discussion can continue. The House will defer the OVP budget until the termination of the 2025 budget debate.
“Napaka unusual nito, (at) sana may magandang explanation siya—valid explanation. Dahil hindi pa ito nangyayari. Ngayon pa lang ito nangyayari sa ating budget hearing,” Libanan remarked.
“Ang kaugalian dito sa budget hearing na kapag ikaw ang head of the Office, ng Department ay kailangan yung personal presence mo. ‘Yun ang tradition at part of our rules,” he added.
The OVP 2025 budget was reduced to Php733.198 million after the Committee on House of Appropriations decided to cut the initial proposal of Php2.047 billion.
Congresswoman Stella Quimbo said that the funds will be distributed to the Assitance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AISCS) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the medical assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients under the Department of Health (DOH).
