The Office of the Vice President (OVP) clarified on Saturday night that it was the House of Representatives—not the OVP—that decided against proceeding with its proposed budget hearing, contrary to reports claiming the OVP skipped the session.

In a statement, the OVP said its delegation to the House, led by an Assistant Secretary, was initially barred from attending after the chamber invoked its “tradition” that only an undersecretary-level official may represent an agency head at budget deliberations.

"For the information of the public, it was the House of Representatives that declined to accept the OVP delegation led by the Assistant Secretary — who is a senior official by reason of the status as presidential appointee — citing House tradition and stating that an Undersecretary should attend," the OVP said.

The OVP added that at 10:07 a.m. on September 12, the office informed the House budget sponsor that Vice President Sara Duterte herself would attend in lieu of an undersecretary.

"However, instead of proceeding with the hearing, the budget sponsor opted to defer it and instructed the VP and the OVP group not to go to the HOR," the OVP furthered.

For transparency, the OVP said it has attached a screenshot of the exchange of messages between the Vice President and the budget sponsor.

The Vice President’s office also reminded media organizations of their “duty to remain faithful to the truth” and urged them to avoid “twisting facts to favor their narrative.”

The House Appropriations Committee had initially scheduled the budget hearing for 1:30 p.m. on Friday.

Alvarez said Duterte has committed to attend the next hearing on September 16. Meanwhile, the OVP will brief senators on its proposed budget a day earlier.