House appropriations panel defers deliberation on the proposed P889 million budget of OVP Duterte after VP Duterte assured them that she will attend the budget discussion on Sept. 16, Tuesday, says House appropriations panel vice chair and Palawan Rep. Jose Alvarez @gmanews pic.twitter.com/kc6TstCrUc
— Llanesca T. Panti (@llanescajourno) September 12, 2025
The House appropriations panel deferred Friday’s scheduled deliberations on the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) proposed P889 million budget for 2026 after it disallowed the agency from sending representatives whose ranks are lower than undersecretary.
This was decided upon by the House appropriations panel presided over by its vice chairman, Palawan Representatve Jose Alvarez, citing the prevailing practice where an undersecretary, at the very least, should be present to defend the subject agency’s proposed budget.
“Knowing that [they could not send an Undersecretary or the head of agency] and consistent with the tradition of the House na dapat head of agency or the very least Undersecretary ang pumunta rito to defend the budget of the agency…ako na mismo ang nag-advise sa kanila kaninang umaga na huwag na kayong pumunta rito,” Alvarez said.
(Knowing that they could not send an undersecretary or the head of agency and consistent with the tradition of the House that the head of agency or the very least, an undersecretary should go here to defend the budget of the agency, I myself advised them this morning that they should not proceed here.)
Alvarez said this response stemmed from a letter from the OVP sent to the House appropriations panel on Friday morning designating personnel to defend its proposed 2026 budget, with the letter signed by Director Administrative and Financial Services Lemuel Ortonio.
“Dahil ganoon rin, kung wala si Undersecretary Zuleika Lopez,” Alvarez added, referring to the Vice President’s chief-of-staff.
Alvarez, however, said he was assured by Vice President Sara Duterte that she will attend the budget deliberations on Tuesday, September 16.
“I have the assurance of the VP na she will attend by next week. So if meron silang hearing sa Senado on Monday, Tuesday ang napili nila. Ganoon po ang istorya,” Alvarez said.
(So if they have a hearing at the Senate on Monday, they will come on Tuesday. That’s the story.)
House Senior Deputy Minority Leader and Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice then put forward a motion moving the OVP proposed 2026 budget discussions on Tuesday, September 16, a motion approved by the committee.
The bulk of the OVP’s P889 million proposed budget for 2026 is allocated for Socio-Economic Projects and Stakeholder Engagements valued at P644.8 million.
This means that at least 72% of the OVP’s proposed budget for 2026 is for Socio-Economic Projects and Stakeholder Engagements.
The proposed OVP budget for 2026, however, did not provide details and breakdown of intended expenses on these “Socio-Economic Projects and Stakeholder Engagements.” — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
