The House of Representatives approved the termination of plenary deliberations on the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) proposed 2027 budget early Tuesday, with no lawmakers raising questions on the floor.
The OVP is seeking P785.204 million for next year, representing an 11.7% decrease from the P889.236 million appropriated to the office for 2026. The agency said the proposed allocation would fund its continuing assistance and service programs for beneficiaries across the country.
Assistant Chief of Staff Lemuel Ortonio appeared before the chamber to represent the OVP during the proceedings.
The motion to end the interpellation period was made by ACT Teachers party-list Representative Antonio Tinio and seconded by Palawan 3rd District Representative Gil Acosta for the majority. It was subsequently approved without objection.
House Appropriations Vice Chairperson Jose Alvarez of Palawan’s 2nd District explained that OVP Chief of Staff Atty. Zuleika Lopez did not attend the plenary proceedings after submitting a medical certificate two days earlier. According to Alvarez, Lopez had informed the panel that she was receiving treatment in an emergency room for a respiratory infection.
Alvarez was also asked whether he had been communicating with Vice President Sara Duterte. He replied, “I don’t talk to her.”
The lawmaker said there were no further matters that needed to be raised during the plenary session, noting that lawmakers had already asked questions during the earlier briefing.
“There’s nothing to ask,” Alvarez said, adding that, “Ayaw natin na lumabas na hindi maganda… Doon na nga sa briefing, nagtanong na sila. Pareho lang eh. Walang dapat ikabahala
Alvarez also rejected the suggestion that the handling of the OVP budget was connected to the impeachment proceedings involving Duterte.
“Whether ma-impeach siya o hindi, wala kaming pakialam doon. The budget is the budget,” Alvarez added.
