Vice President Sara Duterte skipped the House Committee on Appropriations hearing on Friday, September 12, which was set to tackle the proposed 2026 budget of the Office of the Vice President (OVP).
According to House Panel Vice Chairperson and Palawan 2nd District Rep. Jose Alvarez, who also serves as the budget sponsor of the OVP, the committee received a letter from Duterte’s office stating that an assistant secretary would attend the hearing on her behalf. However, Alvarez explained that in line with the tradition of the House, only the head of an agency or an undersecretary is allowed to appear to defend its proposed budget.
Because of this, Alvarez said he advised the OVP not to send any representative.
The hearing has been rescheduled for Tuesday, September 16.
Alvarez added that Vice President Duterte has assured him she will personally attend on that date.