OVP Speaks on Vice Pres. Sara Duterte, her Office’s Proposed Budget for 2026
SARA DUTERTE – The Office of the Vice President (OVP) claimed that the Vice President is “ready” to defend her office’s 2026 proposed budget but her attendance to hearings depends on her schedule.
The Congress is currently deliberating the proposed budget allocation for the different offices and departments in the Philippine government in 2026. For next year, the Office of the Vice President is seeking a P903-million budget.
Previously, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte’s office claimed that the fund requested by the OVP is just enough for the programs of the office. The Vice President also previously claimed during the 2025 Pasidungog of the OVP that she does not want to ask for a huge budget as she does not expect it to be approved considering that she is not an ally of the Marcos Jr. administration.
Vice Pres. Sara Duterte also claimed that she expect cuts in the proposed P903-million OVP budget for 2026. According to her, the President and the House Speaker are still the same people. Her office did not request for a confidential and intelligence funds for next year.
Duterte remains surrounded by questions and accusations over the alleged misuse of her office’s confidential funds. However, she ditched several hearings set by the House of Representatives during the investigation.
Duterte also previously claimed that she does not want her staff allegedly humiliated if she will ask for a bigger budget. It earned a reaction from the House of Representatives which hopes that the Vice President will recognize their role to scrutinize budget appropriations and spending.
Recently, the OVP spoke on their 2026 proposed budget. According to the office’s spokesperson, Atty. Ruth Castelo, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte is ready to defend her office’s P903-million proposed budget for 2026. However, with regards to her attendance to the hearings, it depends on her schedule.
“She’s ready anytime. Kaya naman po niya talagang harapin ‘yan lahat. Ang magiging deperensya lang po natin nga ay ‘yung sa schedule, ‘yung pag-schedule ng engagements,” Castelo said.
According to the OVP Spokesperson, the presence of the other officials of the office of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte such as those in the finance and human resource departments as well as the secretaries and undersecretaries is expected. Castelo also claimed that she still has no idea on who will be the lawmakers who will sponsor and defend the budget that they have requested for next year.
Currently, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte is in The Hague, Netherlands amid the flood control projects issue in the Philippines. Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, the Department of Public Works and Highways or DPWH now has a new chief, Vince Dizon, following the resignation of former DPWH Chief Manuel Bonoan amid the issue.
Recently, Malacañang reacted to the comments of the Duterte family on the flood control project issue in the Philippines.