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Sara Duterte Skips OVP Budget Talks Amid Impeachment Trial
Vice President Sara Duterte skipped the budget deliberations for her office at the House of Representatives on Tuesday, as her impeachment trial proceeds in the Senate. An assistant secretary from the Office of the Vice President (OVP) attended in her stead.
MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Sara Duterte was absent from the House of Representatives’ plenary session on Tuesday for the budget deliberations of her office, the Office of the Vice President (OVP). Her absence comes as her impeachment trial is ongoing in the Senate. Instead of the Vice President, Assistant Secretary Lemuel Ortonio represented the OVP during the scheduled plenary session. Lawmakers were set to debate the OVP’s proposed budget of P2.3 billion for 2024. Duterte's no-show has fueled speculation, linking it to the impeachment proceedings against her. The impeachment complaint stems from allegations of the misuse of confidential funds, specifically P125 million used by the OVP in 2022, as noted in a Commission on Audit (COA) report. This absence during a crucial budget hearing adds another layer to the political tensions surrounding the Vice President, highlighting the intricate dynamics of Philippine politics, including power struggles and intergovernmental relations. Information Source: Inquirer NewsInfo
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Inquirer NewsInfo