Makabayan confronts the vice presidency over budget accountability
The ongoing budget debate in the Philippines has taken a sharp turn as Makabayan lawmakers challenge Vice President Sara Duterte’s understanding of accountability and checks and balances. With the House of Representatives voting to trim the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) proposed budget for 2026, critics argue that Duterte’s response reveals a gap in grasping the very standards she is expected to uphold as the country’s second-highest official.
During the period of individual amendments to the General Appropriations Bill (GAB), a motion spearheaded by Deputy Minority Leader Leila de Lima, a member of the ML Party-list, proposed a sizable P156 million reduction in the OVP budget. De Lima defended the cut as a mandate for accountability, citing Duterte’s alleged reluctance to participate in the budget process and concerns over public spending. The move was supported by Makabayan and several members of the majority bloc, culminating in a reduction that widens the gap between the OVP’s proposed budget and what the chamber is willing to fund for 2026.
The militant faction, composed of ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima, Gabriela Party-list Rep. Sarah Elago, and Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Co, framed the decision as a test of whether the executive branch truly answers to the people’s representatives and, by extension, to citizens who fund government operations. They argued that accountability is not merely a rhetorical device but a concrete mechanism to ensure transparency, oversight, and responsible stewardship of public funds.
VP Duterte’s rebuttal: “moral ascendancy” and rhetorical deflection
In response, Vice President Duterte dismissed the criticisms, saying that the House had no moral ascendancy to discipline the OVP. She rejected the characterization of the House as a parent figure and used a pointed Filipino expression to describe the lawmakers. “Hindi naman parent ang House of Representatives for them to say na kailangan disiplinahin ang Vice President,” she said, adding a sharp retort that some members of the House are perceived as “crocodiles” by public opinion—an accusation that underscored the high-tension rhetoric surrounding the budget fight.
The vice president’s remarks were interpreted by supporters as an assertion of executive independence and the belief that the OVP should not be treated as a department subject to the same line-item discipline as other agencies. Critics, however, say the response illustrates a broader disconnect with accountability standards that should accompany any high-ranking official who wields public funds and policy influence. The exchange has intensified questions about governance, transparency, and the appropriate balance of power between the legislative and executive branches.
What this means for budget oversight and governance
The budget cut to the OVP signals more than a single fiscal adjustment. It highlights how accountability mechanisms—ranging from transparent budget deliberations to active legislative oversight—are viewed differently by opposition groups and Duterte’s allies. For Makabayan, the episode is a litmus test: can the government maintain checks and balances when political pressures mount, especially in areas as visible as the vice presidency?
Senate leaders still have room to act as a counterweight. They could restore the OVP budget to its original level, shaping the final picture of the 2026 GAB. The interplay between the House’s scrutiny and the Senate’s potential intervention will likely influence the public’s perception of governance, transparency, and accountability at the highest levels of government.
As the 2026 budget process moves forward, observers will watch how the executive branch articulates its stance on accountability, how the legislature justifies its cuts, and what this means for the Philippines’ ongoing debate over transparency, governance, and public trust.
