VP Duterte dodges media after Senate swiftly approves OVP budget

Vice President Sara Duterte refused to answer political questions from the media after the Senate approved the 2026 budget of her office in less than five minutes on Nov. 27.

“Next year na,” Duterte told reporters when asked about resigned lawmaker Zaldy Co’s statements implicating President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the flood control anomalies, as well as her readiness to assume presidency.

Invoking parliamentary courtesy, the Senate approved the proposed P889-million budget of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) with no questions asked.

“Dalawa lang po yung sasabihin ko. Unang una…the reason na pumunta ako dito ay para batiin kayong lahat ng blessed Christmas and a happy new year and I wish you good health in the year 2026,” said the vice president.

Duterte personally showed up at the Senate during the presentation of her office’s allocation, which was sponsored by Sen. Win Gatchalian, Chairperson of the chamber’s Committee on Finance.

“We’d like to thank the Senate of the Philippines for approving the OVP year 2026 budget,” Duterte added.

Before the budget’s approval, known Duterte ally Sen. Robin Padilla delivered a manifestation of support for the OVP’s funding.

“Ako po ay natutuwa sapagkat dito sa ating bulwagan ay atin pong hindi binawasan ang budget ng ating Pangalawang Pangulo bagkus ay dinagdagan,” said Padilla, expressing his support.

The duterte-ally senator noted that, in his experience, the vice president has consistently been present during calamities, tragedies, and deaths, offering condolences and assistance across the country.

“Ako po ay masaya at nagpapasalamat sa ating mga kasama. Maraming salamat po at hindi po nagmula sa ating bulwagan ang pang-iipit sa ating pangalawang Pangulo,” he added, celebrating that the budget face no real scrutiny.

The House of Representatives earlier passed a lower allocation for the OVP amounting to P733.2 million, significantly below the Senate-approved figure.