Allegations made by Vice President Sara Duterte that the budget deliberation for the Office of the Vice President (OVP) was “scripted” have been firmly denied by members of Congress.
In a recorded interview, Duterte explained her decision to skip the budget briefing of the House Committee on Appropriations, claiming that the session had been pre-planned to undermine her, with only two individuals controlling the national budget.
House Deputy Majority Leader Jude Acidre clarified that members of the committee held different perspectives, making it improbable that the deliberations had been scripted. Acidre also criticized the format of Duterte’s interview, stating that it appeared scripted itself, noting that there was only one interviewer, a single setup, and the interview was divided into three parts, conveniently coinciding with the budget briefing.
The legislator further stressed that the alleged plan to defund the OVP or reduce its budget to just one peso was unlikely, as Congress would follow the Constitution and ensure the office’s mandate is fulfilled. The OVP’s budget will be made responsive to its mandate, guaranteeing that adequate resources remain available.
La Union Representative Paolo Ortega added that it was Duterte who seemed to follow a script, as her responses during the first Appropriations panel hearing were repetitive.