Background: A Budget Cut with Broad Implications
The Philippines’ budget process is often a focal point for debates on transparency and accountability. In the 2026 General Appropriations Bill (GAB), the House of Representatives moved to slash P156 million from the Office of the Vice President (OVP). The decision has become a flashpoint in the ongoing discourse about checks and balances in government and the role of the Vice President in budget oversight.
Makabayan’s Response: A Claim of Limited Understanding
Makabayan lawmakers—ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima, Gabriela Party-list Rep. Sarah Elago, and Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Co—assert that accountability and the broader system of checks and balances remain foreign concepts to Vice President Sara Duterte. In a joint statement issued on Oct. 14, they contended that as the second-highest official in the land, the Vice President should be held to high standards of accountability and transparency, especially when public funds are at stake.
The Core Argument
The caucus argued that insisting on responsible budgeting and proper governance is not merely a political talking point but a constitutional necessity. They framed the budget cut as a test of whether the OVP will be held to the same standards expected of other government offices, and whether the Office of the Vice President will participate constructively in budget scrutiny.
House Motion and Political Dynamics
During the period of individual amendments, De Lima and allied lawmakers advanced a motion to reduce the OVP budget as a statement about accountability. Their rationale centered on what they described as the Vice President’s reluctance to fully participate in the House budget process and concerns regarding how public funds are spent. The move drew support from both Makabayan and members of the majority, culminating in the reallocation within the P6.793-trillion spending plan for 2026.
Duterte’s Rebuttal: Language and Perception
In response, Vice President Duterte rejected the metaphor of the House as a disciplining parent, arguing that such a characterization misrepresents the relationship between the executive branch and the legislature. Duterte criticized the House rhetoric, describing some members of the body in unflattering terms and asserting that the House does not hold moral ascendancy over the Office of the Vice President.
Key Quotes and Takeaways
“Hindi naman parent ang House of Representatives for them to say na kailangan disiplinahin ang Vice President” Duterte said, adding that he preferred a focus on accountability rather than personal branding in the budget process. The exchange highlights a broader debate over how accountability should function in a system with shared powers and independent branches.
What Comes Next: Senate and Implications for 2026
The Senate could still act to restore the OVP budget to its original level. As the legislative branch continues its review, the outcome will have lasting implications for how future budgets are debated and how accountability is practiced across the executive offices. The evolving conversation underscores the ongoing tension between fiscal oversight and the statutory duties of the Vice Presidency.
Why This Matters to Voters and Citizens
Beyond procedural debates, the incident raises questions about governance quality, transparency, and public trust. For citizens, the exchange offers a window into how elected officials handle funding, respond to scrutiny, and uphold accountability–core principles that affect how public money is managed and how institutions are held to account.
