HOUSE Appropriations Committee vice chairman Zia Alonto Adiong backs reduction of the proposed 2026 budget of the Office of the Vice President (OVP), following Vice President Sara Duterte’s absence from the plenary deliberations yesterday, as well as the VP’s imposition of conditions for her attendance.
Adiong described Duterte’s behavior as “disappointing.” The proposed 2026 budget of the OVP is P902.8 million, representing an increase of almost P170 million from the approved 2025 budget of over P700 million.
The Makabayan bloc and the Mamamayang Liberal party-list manifested at the plenary Thursday night that they will move to slash the personnel services, maintenance and other operating expenses of the OVP budget.
“I believe the increase of P200 million would be on the consultancy fees and additional supplies. It’s a pity she did not come here. She could have at least defended that and explained to the plenary and convinced the (House) members why she needed that P200 (million) plus increase. Unfortunately, no explanation at all. That’s why for us, I would, my working draft would still be on the P700 (million.)” Adiong said in an interview.
Adiong compared the OVP under Duterte to the OVP under former VP now Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo, which had a smaller budget.
“During the time of former Vice President Leni Robredo; she is resourceful. I think it also goes with the integrity and credibility of the person, right? Vice President Leni Robredo, because the trust rating of some of the NGOs (non-government organizations and CSOs (civil society organizations) and private sectors are so high to a point that they are willing to cooperate and assist the office for the plans and programs of her office as Vice, they can be implemented properly, he said.
Adiong described Duterte’s imposition of conditions in exchange for her appearance in the House to defend her office’s budget as an insult.
“I just hope she came here to extend this courtesy the way that she extended courtesy to the Senate. Remember, the legislature is composed of two chambers. And so, if it’s a deliberate way of, I don’t know, expressing her preference for the Senate or perhaps her disgust, then of course, everyone as a human being, as a person would feel insulted by the non-attendance of the OVP as an institution. But as an individual, I get, as I told you, I get used to it as a former sponsor (of the OVP budget.)
But I think on the issue of the individual or the institution itself, it’s really an insult to the institution,” Adiong said.
Adiong says the House intends to approve on second reading the proposed 2026 national budget next week and on third and final reading on the last day of the session on Oct 13.
In a separate news conference, House Infrastructure Committee co-chairperson Terry Ridon said he also supports a reduction in the proposed budget for the OVP.
Ridon also said Vice President Duterte cannot impose conditions for her attendance in the plenary deliberations on the proposed budget for her office.
“I think the Vice President is not in a position to make demands to Congress. But more importantly, it reflects, of course, her respect for the budget process,” Ridon told reporters.
He said he leaves the decision on what amount to allocate for the OVP to the House Committee on Appropriations.
“The more important question is how will she use the funds this year and next year,” Ridon added.
“My problem with that is basically, they haven’t been going to Congress and they haven’t been explaining themselves. So how in the world are we able to make a determination on what’s right, or do they deserve the budget allocated for them. So I think we will leave it to our colleagues in the Appropriations Committee to make that determination,” Ridon explained.
