Vice President Sara Duterte briefly shifted focus during the House appropriations committee’s deliberations on the proposed 2026 budget of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) when she asked Kabataan party-list Rep. Renee Louise Co if she was related to Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co.
The exchange came as Rep. Co was pressing Duterte on public funds spent for her security personnel and staff during official trips. Duterte cut in with the question, “Magpinsan po ba si Congressman [Renee] Co ngayon at si Zaldy Co?”
The young lawmaker immediately clarified, “I have no familial relations po with Rep. Zaldy Co or any of their relatives po.”
Following the clarification, Duterte proceeded to address Co’s original question, disclosing the travel and accommodation expenses incurred by her office for the staff and security personnel who accompanied her on her engagements.
