Puwersa ng Pilipinong Pandagat (PPP) party-list Representative Harold Duterte expressed his disappointment over his House of Representatives colleagues’ decision to reduce the proposed budget of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) from P889.2 million to P733.2 million.
The cousin of Vice President Sara Duterte called the amendment to the budget an act of bullying against her.
“While disappointing, the action of the House of Representatives was already expected. This is not budgeting; this is bullying disguised as governance,” Rep. Harold Duterte said.
The proposed amendment on Friday came from Mamayang Liberal Representative Leila de Lima, who cited the continuous refusal of the Vice President to attend the budget deliberation of her office in Congress as a sign of disrespect.
Furthermore, Chairperson of the Committee on Appropriations Mikaela Suansing noted that despite the P156-million reduction, the OVP can still fully operate and perform its duties.
Harold Duterte, in his statement, said: “The House may have slashed the budget of the Office of the Vice President, but they can never cut its will to serve.”
“Every peso that they withheld from the OVP only exposes how small-minded and politically vindictive some of our so-called lawmakers have become,” he added.
The lawmaker then sarcastically congratulated his colleagues, saying they only humiliated themselves by cutting the OVP’s proposed budget.
“The OVP does not measure service in appropriations; it measures it in action, compassion, and results,” he said.
According to Harold Duterte, despite the “weaponization” of the budget to settle political scores, no theatrics can stop his cousin from doing her job, as she will continue to serve quietly and effectively.
“The people are watching, and they can see clearly who works for them and who works for themselves,” Harold Duterte said.
