House approves OVP's P785.2-M budget for 2027 without interpellations

The House of Representatives on early Tuesday terminated the plenary deliberations for the 2027 budget of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) without any interpellations.

ACT Teachers party-list Representative Antonio Tinio moved to terminate interpellations, which was seconded by Palawan 3rd District Representative Gil Acosta on the part of the majority.

With no objections and questions manifested on the floor, the motion was approved.

The OVP has proposed a P785.204-million budget for 2027, 11.7% lower than its P889.236-million appropriated budget for 2026.

The office said this year's proposed budget aims to support the agency's continued delivery of assistance and services to beneficiaries nationwide.

Assistant Chief of Staff Lemuel Ortonio represented the OVP before the plenary deliberations of their proposed spending plan next year.

House Appropriations Vice Chairperson Jose Alvarez of the 2nd District of Palawan said OVP Chief of Staff Atty. Zuleika Lopez was excused from the plenary debates after submitting a medical certificate two days ago.

Alvarez said Lopez informed the panel that she is in the emergency room for a respiratory infection.

Asked if Alvarez is in communication with Vice President Sara Duterte, he said: "I don’t talk to her."

The OVP may be set to suffer a budget reduction from its P889 million appropriated budget in 2026.

"There’s nothing to ask," Alvarez said, adding that, "Ayaw natin na lumabas na hindi maganda… Doon na nga sa briefing, nagtanong na sila. Pareho lang eh. Walang dapat ikabahala (We don't want anything unwelcome to crop up... They were already asking questions during the briefing. It's just the same. There's nothing to worry about.)"

Alvarez expressed belief that the matter has nothing to do with the ongoing impeachment proceedings against the vice president.

"Whether ma-impeach siya o hindi, wala kaming pakialam doon. The budget is the budget," Alvarez added.

(We will not look into whether or not she is impeached. The budget is the budget.) — VDV, GMA News