Sara reaching out to Bicol communities amid hearing - OVP

Vice President Sara Duterte was reaching out to communities in Bicol when the House of Representatives deliberated on the Office of the Vice President’s budget proposal last Monday, according to the OVP, amid reports and photographs she was on a beach for leisure.

- NEIL JAYSON SERVALLOS

The OVP said Duterte was “on the road” speaking to communities in Vinzons and Daet in Camarines Norte and Legazpi City in Albay when House lawmakers assembled in plenary last Monday to deliberate on the OVP’s proposed P2.037-billion budget for 2025.

“The public is cautioned about the attempts of some media outlets to once again besmirch the reputation of the Vice President by publishing stories that she is on the beach while the House of Representatives is conducting the plenary deliberations on the budget,” the OVP said in a statement late last Monday.

The OVP was referring to reports by news outlet Politiko that published photos of the Vice President allegedly on Calaguas Island with her friends over the weekend after meeting with former vice president Leni Robedo in Naga City.

Politiko reported that Duterte was on the island from Sept. 21 to 22 and left the next day.

“It is quite easy to confirm her activities through social media posts of the residents in these areas. The OVP condemns fake news and media releases for clickbaits and profit,” the OVP said.

It was not the first time that Duterte was photographed on a supposed holiday under sensitive circumstances.

In July, Duterte received flak over her family trip to Germany for a vacation as Typhoon Carina pummeled many parts of the country.

While her whereabouts during the plenary deliberations was criticized, Duterte had informed the House that she remained keen on skipping the proceedings, telling the OVP’s budget sponsor Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Adiong that she is confident in the strength of her proposal and that she leaves the final judgment entirely in the hands of lawmakers.

Duterte has yet to comment on the plenary deliberations, but she earlier conceded to alleged efforts to defund the OVP and that her office could still function with “zero” budget.