A defiant Vice President Sara Duterte traveled to Cebu on Thursday to personally extend aid to victims of the devastating 6.9 magnitude earthquake that struck northern Cebu prompting some lawmakers in Manila to move for drastically cutting the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) 2026 budget.
Duterte’s absence from the House budget deliberations sparked criticism from several legislators, who viewed her no-show as a lack of accountability. But supporters argue that the Vice President made a conscious decision to prioritize immediate humanitarian relief over the budget process — a move Cavite Rep. Elpidio “Kiko” Barzaga Jr. said was fully justified.
“While the budget deliberation is important, Vice President Duterte went to help the victims of the recent earthquakes. The victims of calamity need her presence and assistance — the 2026 budget can wait,” Barzaga said, defending Duterte’s choice to be on the ground with affected communities.
Duterte visited severely impacted areas in northern Cebu to oversee aid distribution and coordinate with local officials and responders. Her visit aimed to ensure that national support reaches families displaced or affected by the quake, which caused significant damage in several municipalities.
Despite this, ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. Antonio Tinio led a motion to slash the OVP’s proposed P902.8-million budget to just P198.8 million — a cut that would reduce the budget to cover only employee salaries. Tinio, along with Reps. Alonto Adiong, Terry Ridon, and Leila de Lima, called Duterte’s absence “an insult” and a sign of “disrespect” to Congress.
“Enough of her bratiness,” De Lima said. “I move for a zero budget for the OVP.”
Tinio echoed the sentiment, saying, “Kung hindi siya makapagsumite ng paliwanag sa paggamit ng pondo, bakit pa natin bibigyan ng karagdagang alokasyon?”
However, Barzaga countered that responding to a national emergency takes precedence and that Duterte’s presence in Cebu reflects leadership in action during a crisis.
As of press time, Vice President Duterte has not issued a public statement regarding the budget deliberations, but her actions on the ground have drawn praise from local officials and residents affected by the disaster.
