VP Sara hails OVP as ‘pillar of democracy’ as office marks 90th year

Vice President Sara Duterte on Thursday hailed the Office of the Vice President (OVP)—founded in 1935—as a “pillar of Philippine democracy,” saying the institution has endured crises, transitions, and political upheavals over nine decades while expanding its role in public service.

In a statement for the OVP’s 90th anniversary, Duterte said the office’s legacy was built by successive vice presidents who steered the institution through war, reconstruction, revolutions, and shifting national priorities.

“Bawat Pangalawang Pangulo ay naglayag sa kani-kanilang natatanging panahon at hamon… at bawat isa, sa pamamagitan ng personal na dedikasyon, ay pinalawak ang kakayahan at mandato ng Tanggapang ito,” she said.

(Each Vice President sailed through their unique period and challenges… and each, through personal dedication, expanded the capacity and mandate of this Office.)

As part of the commemoration, Duterte invited the public to visit the OVP’s nationwide pop-up exhibits featuring historical documents, stories, and artifacts from past administrations—materials she said demonstrate the institution’s evolving role in governance.

Duterte also outlined three major initiatives the OVP is pursuing as “foundational groundwork” for the next century:

• An OVP Museum – a permanent venue to preserve and showcase the vice presidency’s historical records, artifacts, and institutional memory;
• A permanent OVP headquarters – a dedicated office that would boost efficiency, reduce long-term costs, and ensure consistent and accessible public service across administrations;
• An OVP Charter – legislation that would formally define the OVP’s mandate, functions, and capacity in law, strengthening the office’s constitutional standing.

“These initiatives are our commitment to democratic institution-building,” she noted. 

“Strengthening this office will allow us to serve you better, more efficiently, and with greater impact.”

The Vice President urged Filipinos to take part in the milestone celebration and support efforts to secure the OVP’s future.

“Sama-sama nating ipagdiwang ang siyamnapung taon ng serbisyo ng Tanggapan ng Pangalawang Pangulo. Magtulungan tayong itaguyod ang kinabukasan ng ating bansa,” Duterte said.

(Let us together celebrate the 90 years of service of the Office of the Vice President. Let us work together to uphold the future of our nation.)

“Mahalin natin ang Pilipinas—para sa Diyos, sa Bayan, at bawat Pamilyang Pilipino,” she added. — BM, GMA Integrated News