VP Sara Duterte skips Senate budget hearing as OVP’s ₱785M proposal advances in 16 minutes

ASM, Philippine Canadian Inquirer
October 20, 2026

Photo courtesy: Multiple Sources

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte was absent from the Senate hearing on her office’s proposed ₱785.2-million budget for 2027 on Tuesday, October 20. Despite her absence, the spending proposal advanced to the plenary after a briefing that lasted about 16 minutes.

Office of the Vice President (OVP) Chief of Staff Zuleika Lopez attended the hearing alongside other agency officials.

Lopez told senators that Duterte was in Davao City to represent her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, at the inurnment of a longtime city planning official.

Senate questions Duterte’s absence

Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian raised the matter during the hearing, noting that government agency heads traditionally appear before lawmakers to explain and defend their proposed budgets.

He also pointed out that Duterte had attended similar proceedings in previous years.

After hearing Lopez’s explanation, Gatchalian expressed hope that the Vice President would personally attend the Senate’s plenary deliberations.

The plenary stage will provide another opportunity for lawmakers to review the proposed allocation before the chamber acts on the budget.

OVP budget endorsed without lengthy questioning

Senator Imee Marcos moved to endorse the OVP’s proposed budget to the plenary, citing parliamentary courtesy traditionally extended to the offices of the President and Vice President.

Senator Bong Go seconded the motion.

With no objections raised, Senate finance panel chair Senator JV Ejercito approved the endorsement, ending the proceedings after approximately 16 minutes.

Parliamentary courtesy is a congressional practice that allows lawmakers to advance the budgets of certain high-ranking offices without extensive questioning.

However, the committee’s endorsement does not mean the proposed allocation has received final congressional approval.

Proposed 2027 budget drops by 11.7%

The OVP is seeking ₱785.204 million for 2027, down from its ₱889.236-million allocation for 2026.

The proposed decrease amounts to approximately ₱104 million, or 11.7 percent.

Of the proposed allocation, ₱561.7 million is intended for maintenance and other operating expenses. This includes ₱193.1 million for goods, livelihood grants and other assistance programs.

The spending plan also contains no confidential funds for the third consecutive year.

The House of Representatives had previously advanced the OVP’s proposed budget in September without extensive deliberations.

The proposed allocation will proceed to the Senate plenary, where lawmakers may raise additional questions before the chamber finalizes its version of the 2027 national budget.

Gatchalian has expressed hope that Duterte will attend the next stage to personally defend her office’s funding request.

For now, the ₱785.2-million proposal has cleared the Senate committee level, with further legislative consideration still required before it can become part of the final national budget.