Vice President Sara Duterte (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)

The House of Representatives has given one last chance to Vice President Sara Duterte and the rest of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) to defend the agency's P2.037-billion budget for 2025 in plenary. 

Senior Deputy Minority Leader Northern Samar 1st district Rep. Paul Daza made a motion at around 9 p.m. Tuesday--following another no-show from the Vice President--to include the OVP budget in the plenary debate schedule for the final session day Wednesday, Sept. 25. 

"It's already 9 p.m., we've waited the whole day and there's still no appearance from what I was told with the [OVP]. We want to make sure that we give ample opportunities for the [OVP] to make an appearance for our sponsorship and debate of all agencies," he said. 

"So in that light of giving another opportunity, please allow me to make a motion to include again, for tomorrow's (Wednesday) schedule, at 10 a.m., the [OVP]," Daza said 

Deputy Majority Leader Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre--one of the many solons who have criticized the lady official for her evasiveness during the entire budget process--joined Daza's motion. 

The presiding officer at that time, Deputy Speaker Lanao del Sur 2nd district Rep. Yasser Balindong, carried the motion after nobody objected to it. 

The House practically did the same favor for the OVP after snubbing Monday's plenary debate schedule. 

Just minutes before this, the plenary officially acknowledged receiving a copy of President Marcos' certification of House Bill (HB) No.10800 or the P6.352-trillion 2025 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) as urgent. 

READ THIS: 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/9/24/we-waited-17-hours-vp-sara-s-dodging-of-budget-debate-a-clear-betrayal-of-public-trust-says-solon

This means that the congressmen will be intent on approving next year’s outlay on second and on third reading during Wednesday's session. 

Daza said he wants to give the OVP "ample time and another opportunity...to come here personally so we can have a deliberation on the OVP budget". 

The Committee on Appropriations had earlier recommended a massive 63 percent slash to the OVP budget, which would bring it down to P733 million. Vice President Duterte's failure to answer questions on the OVP's budget spending has been cited as reason for the recommendation. 

The plenary is expected to act on this Wednesday during the period of amendments for HB No.10800.