House defers OVP budget hearing after Duterte sends low-level rep
MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives on Friday, September 12, deferred deliberations on the Office of the Vice President’s proposed 2026 budget after it sought to field an assistant secretary in place of Vice President Sara Duterte or her more senior officials.
Rep. Jose Alvarez (Palawan, 2nd District), House appropriations committee vice chairperson, said the OVP had written the panel saying OVP Assistant Secretary Lemuel Ortonio would attend today's hearing to defend the budget.
But consistent with House practice, Alvarez explained, agencies must send either their head or at least an undersecretary-level official.
“Consistent with the tradition of the House, the head of agency or at the very least, an undersecretary should come here to defend the budget of the agency,” Alvarez said during the hearing.
“Noting the inconsistency in the letter, I myself advised them in the morning not to come here because it is the same if Usec. Zuleika Lopez is not here," the lawmaker said, referring to Duterte's chief-of-staff.
Alvarez added that before noon, he was assured Duterte herself would attend the rescheduled hearing next Tuesday.
The OVP's proposed spending plan for 2026 is P902.8 million. This is around a 21% increase from its P744-million budget this year — the lowest Duterte's office has ever received.
OVP spokesperson Ruth Castelo previously said the office was "ready for any eventuality" when it defends its proposed 2026 budget.
Parliamentary courtesy
There was also a brief debate during the hearing on whether to extend parliamentary courtesy to the OVP, a tradition that shields top officials from rigorous questioning during budget hearings.
Duterte had benefited from parliamentary courtesy during the budget deliberations in 2022 and 2023. This was no longer the case in 2024, however, when lawmakers sought to grill the vice president over her use of confidential funds.
On Friday, Rep. Edgar Erice (Caloocan, 2nd District), House senior deputy minority leader, said he was ready to move to grant the courtesy had Duterte been present.
But Rep. Antonio Tinio (ACT Teachers) — also part of the minority — strongly opposed Erice's suggestions, saying it would yet again undermine Congress’ oversight role on the budget.
“With due respect to my fellow member of the minority, not all minorities agree to extend the parliamentary courtesy whether to the Office of the President or the Office of the Vice President,” Tinio said. “Especially now, there is no time for parliamentary courtesy. Everyone should be prepared to defend the budget in front of Congress.”
Tinio expressed indignation over the OVP’s attempt to send an assistant secretary, noting that even the Office of the President sends its executive secretary.
He added that Duterte has repeatedly declared in media interviews that she is ready to defend her budget. “Outside, she says she has nothing to hide and is willing to face the proper venue. But the proper venue is here, in this committee,” Tinio said.
‘To see is to believe’
While Alvarez relayed Duterte’s assurance that she will appear on Tuesday, Tinio said lawmakers should not rely on her word. “For me, to see is to believe,” he said.
Tinio also urged the chamber to abandon the tradition of parliamentary courtesy altogether. “History shows that the so-called presumption of regularity does not work. The norm should be that all officials entrusted with public funds must explain before Congress,” he said.
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