Duterte said she was aware of talks to defund the Office of the Vice President following her clash with lawmakers over the OVP’s proposed P2.037-billion budget for 2025 and her accusations against Speaker Martin Romualdez and House appropriations committee chairman Rep. Zaldy Co that they have hijacked control of taxpayers’ money.
“Our office is small. Our operations are small so we can afford to work even without a budget. We know that’s all part of the attack. So we will continue to do what we need to do for the people,” Duterte said in a taped interview sent to reporters yesterday.
After clashing with lawmakers two weeks ago over budget mismanagement, Duterte and officials of the OVP skipped Tuesday’s scheduled budget deliberations before the House of Representatives’ appropriations committee. Instead, her office released a taped interview where she accused Romualdez and Co of hijacking billions in additional funds meant to build and repair classrooms.
The Vice President said neither she nor officials of the OVP attended the hearing as she was expecting a “scripted” political sideshow attack on her person.
“During the budget hearing last Aug. 27, you could see they have prepared an audiovisual presentation. They also prepared a script to take cues from,” she said.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
P500-M rice imports stalled in Port of Manila
Half a billion pesos worth of rice is sitting at the Port of Manila, waiting to be picked up by their importers, making the government worry that this may cause an artificial increase in consumer prices.
Lawmakers to Sara: Oath a commitment to honesty
Administration lawmakers are reminding Vice President Sara Duterte that her refusal to take her oath when she appeared Wednesday before a committee of the House of Representatives would ultimately boomerang on her credibility and integrity as an elected public official.
Maritime bo open to leasing foreign ships for WPS
The National Maritime Council (NMC) is open to a proposal to lease ships from other countries to shore up the Philippines' presence in the West Philippine Sea as the country grapples with an increasingly aggressive China.
US keeps mid-range missile system in Phl
Typhon cruise missiles capable of striking
Guo cited in contempt, detained by House panel
The House quad committee yesterday cited in contempt dismissed Bamban mayor Alice Guo for making a fool out of the lawmakers when she told them that no Filipino public official helped her escape.
PNP has leads on where Roque is hiding
Police already have leads on where former presidential spokesman Harry Roque is hiding.
Monsoon to continue bringing rains
The Philippines will continue experiencing rains brought by the southwest monsoon following the recent exit of two tropical cyclones, according to the state weather bureau.
Tulfo brothers lead OCTA'S Senate poll
Two brothers of Sen.Raffy Tulfo are leading the latest Senate preference poll conducted by the OCTA Research group.
Summit tackles AI integration in military operations
The Philippines reinforced its commitment to equitable access and rules-based governance in integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into military operations.
2025 special polls, plebiscites suspended
To focus all resources on the conduct of the May 2025 midterm elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has suspended all special polls and plebiscites until next year.