House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Vice President Sara Duterte (Speaker’s office, Facebook)

So upset were some House of Representatives members over Vice President Sara Duterte's total snub of the plenary budget debates that they sought to give the Office of the Vice President (OVP) a "zero budget" for 2025. 

No less than House Speaker Martin Romualdez revealed this in a statement on Wednesday night, Sept. 25 as the deliberations on the P6.352-trillion General Appropriations Bill (GAB) for 2025 entered its final stages. 

“Tatlong beses siyang inanyayahan, ngunit hindi siya sumipot. Bilang mga kinatawan ng sambayanan, umaasa kami na tutuparin ng lahat ng opisyal ng gobyerno ang kanilang mga tungkulin, lalo na kung ang usapan ay tungkol sa pambansang badyet,” he said. 

(She was invited three times, but didn't show up. As representatives of the nation, we expect all government officials to fulfill their responsibilities, especially if it's about the national budget.)

“May ilang miyembro ng Kongreso na nagmungkahi na bawasan pa ang badyet ng [OVP], at ang iba pa ay nagpanukala na gawing zero ang pondo ng tanggapan dahil sa kanyang hindi pagsipot,” the House leader revealed. 

(There are some members of Congress who have suggested to further reduce the budget of the OVP, with some even calling for a zero budget for her office due to her non-appearance.) 

“Ngunit tinanggihan ko ang mga mungkahing ito (But I turned down these suggestions)," said Romualdez, president of Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) and congressman of Leyte's 1st district. 

"Naiintindihan ko ang mga pagkadismaya, pero naniniwala ako na mahalaga pa ring magkaroon ng sapat na badyet ang [OVP] para magpatuloy sa paglilingkod sa ating mga kababayan,” 

(I understand the feelings of dismay, but I still believe that it's important for the OVP to have ample budget in order to continue serving our people.) 

Instead, Romualdez endorsed the recommendation of the Committee on Appropriations to "rationalize the budget" of OVP and retain P733 million. 

This recommendation was later adopted in plenary Wednesday night during the period of amendments of the 2025 GAB. 

Vice President Duterte's office was originally earmarked P2.037 billion under the 2025 outlay. 

As per the recommendation, the slashed funds will be realigned to the DSWD (Department of Social Welfare Department) AICS program which is the Assistance for Individuals in Crisis Situations, and the DOH (Department of Health) MAIFIP or the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients.