The Office of the Vice President (OVP) denied deliberately skipping its House budget hearing, saying it was the House, through budget sponsor Rep. Jose Alvarez, that declined to recognize its delegation and later asked Vice President Sara Duterte not to attend despite her willingness.
The OVP released a screenshot of a text exchange showing Duterte offering to appear in place of Undersecretary Zuleika Lopez, who was reportedly sick, but Alvarez advised deferring the hearing instead.
Alvarez maintained that, based on House tradition, only the agency head or an undersecretary may defend the budget, and an assistant secretary is not acceptable.
The OVP criticized media reports, urging outlets to report accurately and not distort the situation.
Alvarez later confirmed Duterte’s attendance for the rescheduled hearing on September 16.
Source: PhilNews24 | September 14, 2025
