House Deputy Minority Leader and Mamamayang Liberal party-list Rep. Leila De Lima strongly criticized Vice President Sara Duterte for repeatedly skipping the House deliberations on the proposed 2026 budget of the Office of the Vice President (OVP).
De Lima emphasized that Duterte’s absence on Thursday marked the third consecutive time she failed to attend, after also being absent on September 30 and October 1. “Let me say for the record, as the start of my manifestation, that this is very appalling,” she declared. “This actuation of the part of the Vice President is very appalling.”
She argued that Duterte’s repeated non-appearance was a “grave insult and disrespect” to the House of Representatives and even to the Constitution. “If she cannot respect us—the Members of the House of Representatives—at least respect the House of Representatives as an Institution, at least respect the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines,” De Lima said.
The lawmaker underscored that the budget process is a constitutional duty, and the Vice President’s absence undermines it. She contrasted Duterte’s no-shows with her presence in the Senate to applaud a former Senate President, questioning why she could prioritize that over defending her office’s funds. “Enough is enough! Enough of her brattiness!” she exclaimed.
De Lima revealed that she initially planned to push for a zero budget for the OVP but later reconsidered out of “courtesy and consideration” for its staff. Instead, she is inclined to retain funding for personnel services and maintenance but remove its operational budget.
ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio and Kabataan party-list Rep. Renee Co also expressed their support for slashing the OVP’s proposed 2026 budget.
