Photo credit: OVP

Vice President Sara Duterte appeared solo at the House of Representatives' budget hearing for the Office of the Vice President (OVP) on Tuesday, Sept. 16. This move came after the initial hearing was postponed from the previous week.

When asked about her decision to attend without her staff, Duterte explained that her team was apprehensive following a past committee hearing that left many personnel anxious and sick. "I told them it is best if I face the budget hearing myself," she said.

Despite the House offering her parliamentary courtesy, a tradition where the budgets for the Office of the President and OVP are not subjected to an extensive hearing, Duterte waived the privilege. She said she expected questions, particularly from the Makabayan bloc, about her confidential funds and travel expenses.

"We expected a lot of questions, but they only asked two," she said, referring to the queries on confidential funds and travel. Duterte reiterated that she did not use government money for her overseas trips, stating, "I'm sorry, again, I did not get any government money for my trips abroad."

When asked why she thought the House extended parliamentary courtesy to her this year, she responded, "I don't know. You have to ask the House of Representatives what they were thinking." She added that she expects the same questions to resurface in the coming years, calling the scrutiny part of preparations for the 2028 presidential elections.

Duterte also addressed her travel expenses, saying, "They're asking about confidential funds and travel. I already said I didn't get any government money to buy tickets, for hotels, or for representation." She noted that the questioning from lawmakers was more tame this year.