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Three more party-list nominees are set to assume seats in the House of Representatives following their proclamation yesterday.

Murang Kuryente first nominee Arthur Yap, Abono first nominee Robert Raymund Estrella and Ang Probinsiyano first nominee Alfred delos Santos were proclaimed by the Commission on Elections.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia said Yap, Estrella and Delos Santos would replace the Duterte Youth representatives, based on the recommendation of the National Board of Canvassers Supervisory Committee.

The Comelec said the groups obtained the required percentage of votes under the party-list system, entitling their nominees to sit as congressional representatives.

The poll body previously canceled the registration of Duterte Youth, which secured three seats after obtaining over two million votes in the May 2025 elections.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) on Friday, October 3, announced the cancellation of several domestic flights due to Severe Tropical Storm Paolo affecting northern Luzon.

In its 5 a.m. weather bulletin, PAGASA said that ten areas in northern Luzon have been placed under Signal No. 3 as the storm further intensified while moving closer to northern Aurora and southern Isabela.

At least 16 flights have been canceled so far.

Here is a list of canceled flights for October 3, according to the CAAP:

Cebu Pacific

5J 504 Manila – Tuguegarao

5J 505 Tuguegarao – Manila

5J 506 Manila – Tuguegarao

5J 507 Tuguegarao – Manila

5J 508 Manila – Tuguegarao

5J 509 Tuguegarao – Manila

5J 196 Manila – Cauayan

5J 197 Cauayan – Manila

Philippine Airlines

PR 2014 Manila – Tuguegarao

PR 2015 Tuguegarao – Manila

PR 2018 Manila – Cauayan

PR 2019 Cauayan – Manila

PR 2196 Manila – Laoag

PR 2197 Laoag – Manila

PR 2198 Manila – Laoag

PR 2199 Laoag – Manila

CAAP advised affected passengers to coordinate with their respective airlines for rebooking and to monitor updates on flight schedules.

The cancellations come as northern Luzon remains under severe wind and rain warnings due to Severe Tropical Storm Paolo.

The Ayala Group and Honda are ending their dealership alliance after three and a half decades.

Ayala’s mobility solutions group ACMobility and Honda Cars Philippines Inc. (HCPI) announced yesterday the transition of their dealer operations effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Ayala said that all dealerships currently operated by ACMobility, through Iconic Dealership Inc., would be turned over toward the end of the year to new dealer principals which will continue to support Honda’s growth and expansion.

Dealerships currently under the operation of ACMobility are Honda Cars Makati, Honda Cars Pasig, Honda Cars Shaw, Honda Cars Bacoor, Honda Cars Cebu, Honda Cars Mandaue, Honda Cars Iloilo, Honda Cars Negros and Honda Cars Cagayan de Oro.

ACMobility will continue to operate all the dealerships until Dec. 31, 2025.

Ayala and Honda’s partnership dates back to 1990 with the opening of Honda Cars Makati.

The network grew steadily nationwide over the years, with ACMobility becoming the largest Honda dealer group in the Philippines.

ACMobility-operated Honda dealerships have sold over 220,000 vehicles as of August 2025.

‘We are grateful, and indeed proud, to have been part of Honda’s journey in the Philippines for the past three and a half decades,’ ACMobility chief executive officer Jaime Alfonso Zobel de Ayala said.

‘This transition reflects our ongoing effort to optimize our portfolio and focus on new growth areas. Among these are our initiatives in advancing sustainable mobility and electrification, where we continue to build solutions that benefit communities, businesses and the environment,’ he said.

In line with its ambition to lead the transition toward sustainable and electrified mobility in the Philippines, ACMobility is refocusing its investments in new and high-growth businesses in automotive distribution and charging infrastructure.

ACMobility has also recently exited from the Volkswagen and Maxus distribution businesses as the company moves toward streamlining its portfolio.

Ayala assured Honda customers they would experience a seamless transition, with the new dealer principals equally committed to delivering outstanding customer experience.

The company said that full sales and after-sales services would remain available at all locations under new dealers with Honda’s dedicated teams ready to assist with sales, maintenance, repairs, warranty support and vehicle care.

To ensure a smooth transition, it said the dealerships would directly contact customers with active reservations to guarantee car delivery without disruption.

All scheduled service appointments and repairs will likewise proceed as planned, with updates to be announced by ACMobility and HCPI through official channels.

Upon turnover of the dealership operations, ACMobility’s portfolio will be composed of the BYD and Kia distribution businesses; dealership operations of Isuzu, BYD, and Kia; electric vehicle charging infrastructure business; and the Bosch Car Service business.

In the One Direction song “Don’t Forget Where You Belong,” members Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson sing the bridge which culminates in “Don’t matter how far I’ve gone, I’m always free to run home.”

It appears like fate then that Zayn and Louis are reuniting to shoot a roadtrip documentary series for streaming platform Netflix.

The show will offer “a rare look inside the world of two of the most famous – and most private – men on the planet opening up about life, love, loss and fatherhood.”

Filming on the project has already begun as the two singers journey across the United States talking about their lives and possibly even discuss the passing of their colleague Liam Payne.

Nicola Marsh will helm the series with Campfire Studios with producing, and the latter’s Ross Dinerstein and Rebecca Evans board as executive producers.

The other remaining members of One Direction, Harry Styles and Niall Horan, are not expected to make an appearance in three-part series.

Zayn will start a Las Vegas residency in January 2026. That same month Louis will release his third album “How Did I Get Here?” and promote it with a world tour.

One Direction debuted in 2010 after forming on “The X Factor” and to this day remain one of the most popular boy bands with a huge fanbase.

Zayn departed the group in 2015 after One Direction had released its fourth album. The boy band released one more album before going on an hiatus the following year.

Liam died last year after falling from a window in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was 31 years old. His funeral brought Louis, Zayn, Harry and Niall together for the first time since going their separate ways.

George Diamante shone brightest for Letran as the Knights rolled to their second straight win with a 76-68 thumping of Immaculada Concepcion College in the PG Flex Invitational Tournament 2025 Quintana Cup on Thursday, October 2, at the Paco Arena.

The 6-foot-4 Diamante baffled his defenders with his all-around brilliance as he registered a rare triple-double of 14 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in nearly 33 minutes of action to clinch the Best Player of the Game plum.

Three other Letran players – Lance Daniel Siena (11), Justin Hugo (12) and Denzil Sison-Walker (10) – also finished in double figures to help Diamante repel ICC’s repeated rallies.

Rapael Perhis and Mark Gabieta also impressed after leading Manila Central University to a stunning 78-74 win over Centro Escolar University in the event that has the backing Smart Sports, Crane, Topflite, Hapee Toothpaste, Gerry’s Grill, Spalding, Mighty Bond and Best Options.

Meantime, Olivarez College showed its readiness to defend its UCAL crown after downing Gardner College, 62-54, in a game it dominated right from the start.

Jhon Patrick Panela was the lone double-digit scorer for Olivarez but five players tallied six points or more.

In a tight contest, it was Perhis who struck hardest for the MCU Supremos with 18 points apart from posting 4 rebounds and 3 assists, while Gabieta added 17 points and 8 boards.

Emmanuel Galman paced CEU with 18 points.

Typhoon Paolo weakened slightly as it crossed through northern Luzon on Friday afternoon, with PAGASA keeping Signal No. 4 raised in several areas.

The eye of the cyclone was last estimated within the vicinity of Mayoyao, Ifugao as it continued to head west northwest. It has maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour near the center, gustiness of up to 200 kph, and central pressure of 980 hPa

It is expected to exit the landmass and move into the West Philippine Sea within the day.

PAGASA warned the public of strong winds and rains, with Paolo also pulling in rains over areas outside its path, including Metro Manila, Bataan, Calabarzon, Bicol Region, Panay Island, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Northern Samar and Eastern Samar.

State meteorologists hoisted the following wind signal warnings:

Signal No. 4 (Wind speeds up to 184 kph)

The southwestern portion of Isabela (Dinapigue, San Mariano, Palanan, Roxas, Burgos, Gamu, Naguilian, Benito Soliven, San Manuel, Cabatuan, Aurora, Luna, Reina Mercedes, City of Cauayan, San Mateo, Alicia, Ramon, City of Santiago, Cordon, San Isidro, Echague, Angadanan, San Guillermo, Jones, San Agustin)

Northwestern portion of Quirino (Diffun, Aglipay, Saguday, Cabarroguis)

Northern portion of Nueva Vizcaya (Solano, Villaverde, Bagabag, Diadi, Quezon, Ambaguio, Bayombong)

Mountain Province

Ifugao

Southern portion of Abra (Tubo)

Northern portion of Benguet (Bakun, Mankayan, Buguias, Kibungan, Kapangan, Atok, Kabayan)

Southern portion of Ilocos Sur (Cervantes, Quirino, Gregorio del Pilar, Sigay, San Emilio, Salcedo, Burgos, Lidlidda, Banayoyo, San Esteban, Santiago, Galimuyod, City of Candon, Santa Lucia, Santa Cruz, Suyo, Alilem, Tagudin, Sugpon)

Northern portion of La Union (Luna, Bangar, Balaoan, Sudipen, Santol, San Gabriel, Bacnotan, San Juan)

Signal No. 3 (Wind speeds up to 117 kph)

Northern and central portions of Aurora (Dinalungan, Dipaculao, Casiguran, Dilasag)

Rest of Isabela

Rest of Quirino

Central portion of Nueva Vizcaya (Kasibu, Bambang, Kayapa, Aritao, Dupax del Norte, Dupax del Sur, Santa Fe)

Kalinga

Central portion of Abra (Boliney, Daguioman, Sallapadan, Bucloc, Licuan-Baay, Malibcong, Lacub, La Paz, San Juan, Lagangilang, Danglas, Lagayan, Tayum, Bangued, Langiden, Pidigan, San Quintin, Pilar, Luba, Manabo, Villaviciosa, San Isidro, Peñarrubia, Bucay, Dolores)

Rest of Benguet

Rest of Ilocos Sur, and the rest of La Union

Signal No. 2 (Wind speeds up to 88 kph)

Central and southern portions of Cagayan (Peñablanca, Tuguegarao City, Solana, Iguig, Tuao, Piat, Rizal, Santo Niño, Alcala, Amulung, Enrile, Baggao, Lasam, Gattaran, Lal-Lo, Allacapan)

Rest of Nueva Vizcaya

Apayao

Rest of Abra

Central and southern portions of Ilocos Norte (Nueva Era, Badoc, Pinili, City of Batac, Paoay, Currimao, Banna, Laoag City, San Nicolas, Sarrat, Dingras, Solsona, Marcos, Bacarra, Piddig, Pasuquin, Vintar, Carasi)

Pangasinan

Central portion of Aurora (Baler, Maria Aurora, San Luis)

Northern portion of Nueva Ecija (Carranglan, Bongabon, San Jose City, Pantabangan, Rizal, Lupao, Science City of Muñoz, Llanera, Nampicuan, Cuyapo, Guimba, Talugtug, Quezon, Santo Domingo, Talavera, General Mamerto Natividad)

Northern portion of Tarlac ( Moncada, San Clemente, Camiling, Paniqui, Ramos, Anao, San Manuel, Gerona, Victoria, Pura)

Northern portion of Zambales ( Santa Cruz, Candelaria)

Signal No. 1 (Wind speeds up to 61 kph)

Batanes

Rest of mainland Cagayan including Babuyan Islands

Rest of Ilocos Norte

Rest of Aurora

Rest of Nueva Ecija

Rest of Tarlac

Bulacan

Pampanga

Rest of Zambales

Northern portion of Quezon (General Nakar, Infanta) including Polillo Islands

Camarines Norte

A gale warning has also been hoisted over the seaboards of several areas:

Up to high over the following coastal waters:

Up to 7.0 meters: The seaboard of Isabela

Up to 6.0 meters: The eastern seaboard of mainland Cagayan

Up to 5.5 meters: The seaboards of northern Aurora and Ilocos Norte

Up to 5.0 meters: The seaboard of Ilocos Sur; the remaining seaboard of Cagayan including Babuyan Islands

Up to 4.5 meters: The seaboard of La Union

Up to rough seas over the following coastal waters:

Up to 4.0 meters: The seaboard of Batanes; the western seaboard of Pangasinan

Up to 3.5 meters: The seaboard of mainland northern Quezon; the northern and eastern seaboard of Polillo Islands

Up to 3.0 meters: The seaboard of Zambales and Camarines Norte; the remaining seaboard of Pangasinan

Up to 2.5 meters: The eastern seaboard of the rest of Quezon; the northern seaboard of Camarines Sur; the northern and eastern seaboard of Catanduanes

Up to 2.0 meters: The seaboard of Lubang Islands; the western seaboard of Bataan

Typhoon Paolo made landfall in Dinapigue, Isabela on Friday, October 3, placing several areas in northern Luzon under Signal No. 4.

After crossing through northern Luzon, Paolo is set to emerge over the West Philippine Sea by afternoon or evening, according to PAGASA.

As it passes through land, it may weaken, but the state weather bureau said it may re-intensify once the cyclone reaches water again.

Paolo is packing maximum sustained winds of 130 kilometers per hour, with gustiness of up to 215 kph.

State meteorologists have warned affected areas of heavy rainfall, severe winds and storm surges.

Wind signals

Signal No. 4 (Wind speeds up to 184 kph)

Extreme northern portion of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran)

Southern portion of Isabela (Dinapigue, San Mariano, Palanan, Roxas, Burgos, Gamu, Naguilian, Benito Soliven, San Manuel, Cabatuan, Aurora, Luna, Reina Mercedes, City of Cauayan, San Mateo, Alicia, Ramon, City of Santiago, Cordon, San Isidro, Echague, Angadanan, San Guillermo, Jones, San Agustin)

Northern portion of Quirino (Diffun, Aglipay, Saguday, Cabarroguis, Maddela)

Northern portion of Nueva Vizcaya (Solano, Villaverde, Bagabag, Diadi, Quezon, Ambaguio, Bayombong)

Mountain Province

Ifugao

Southern portion of Abra (Tubo)

Northern portion of Benguet (Bakun, Mankayan, Buguias, Kibungan, Kapangan, Atok, Kabayan)

Southern portion of Ilocos Sur (Cervantes, Quirino, Gregorio del Pilar, Sigay, San Emilio, Salcedo, Burgos, Lidlidda, Banayoyo, San Esteban, Santiago, Galimuyod, City of Candon, Santa Lucia, Santa Cruz, Suyo, Alilem, Tagudin, Sugpon)

Northern portion of La Union (Luna, Bangar, Balaoan, Sudipen, Santol, San Gabriel, Bacnotan, San Juan)

Signal No. 3 (Wind speeds up to 117 kph)

Northern portion of Aurora (Dinalungan, Dipaculao)

Rest of Isabela

Rest of Quirino

Central portion of Nueva Vizcaya (Kasibu, Bambang, Kayapa, Aritao, Dupax del Norte, Dupax del Sur, Santa Fe)

Kalinga

Central portion of Abra (Boliney, Daguioman, Sallapadan, Bucloc, Licuan-Baay, Malibcong, Lacub, La Paz, San Juan, Lagangilang, Danglas, Lagayan, Tayum, Bangued, Langiden, Pidigan, San Quintin, Pilar, Luba, Manabo, Villaviciosa, San Isidro, Peñarrubia, Bucay, Dolores)

Rest of Benguet

Rest of Ilocos Sur

Rest of La Union

Signal No. 2 (Wind speeds up to 88 kph)

Southern portion of Cagayan (Peñablanca, Tuguegarao City, Solana, Iguig, Tuao, Piat, Rizal, Santo Niño, Alcala, Amulung, Enrile, Baggao)

Rest of Nueva Vizcaya

Southern portion of Apayao (Conner, Kabugao)

Rest of Abra

Southern portion of Ilocos Norte (Nueva Era, Badoc, Pinili, City of Batac, Paoay, Currimao, Banna, Laoag City, San Nicolas, Sarrat, Dingras, Solsona, Marcos, Bacarra, Piddig)

Northern portion of Pangasinan ( San Fabian, Sison, Pozorrubio, Umingan, San Jacinto, Laoac, Binalonan, San Nicolas, Natividad, Tayug, San Manuel, Asingan, Santa Maria, San Quintin, Dagupan City, Mangaldan, Manaoag, Bolinao, Anda, Bani, City of Alaminos, Sual, Labrador, Lingayen, Binmaley, Calasiao, Mapandan, Santa Barbara, City of Urdaneta)

Central portion of Aurora (Baler, Maria Aurora, San Luis)

Northern portion of Nueva Ecija (Carranglan, Bongabon, San Jose City, Pantabangan, Rizal, Lupao)

Signal No. 1 (Wind speeds up to 61 kph)

Rest of mainland Cagayan including Babuyan Islands

Rest of Aurora

Northern portion of Quezon (General Nakar, Infanta) including Polillo Islands

Camarines Norte,

Rest of Apayao

Rest of Ilocos Norte

Rest of Pangasinan

Rest of Nueva Ecija

Northern portion of Bulacan (Doña Remedios Trinidad, San Miguel, San Ildefonso, Norzagaray, San Rafael, Angat)

Tarlac, the northeastern portion of Pampanga (Magalang, Arayat, Candaba, Mabalacat City)

Northern portion of Zambales (Palauig, Masinloc, Candelaria, Santa Cruz)

Sea conditions

PAGASA has also raised a gale warning over several areas, warning sea travelers of strong waves caused by the typhoon.

Up to 7.0 meters: The seaboard of Isabela.

Up to 6.0 meters: The eastern seaboard of mainland Cagayan

Up to 5.5 meters: The seaboards of northern Aurora and Ilocos Norte

Up to 5.0 meters: The seaboard of Ilocos Sur; the remaining seaboard of Cagayan including Babuyan Islands

Up to 4.5 meters: The seaboard of La Union.

Up to 4.0 meters: The seaboard of Batanes; the western seaboard of Pangasinan.

Up to 3.5 meters: The seaboard of mainland northern Quezon; the northern and eastern seaboard of Polillo Islands

Up to 3.0 meters: The seaboard of Zambales and Camarines Norte; the remaining seaboard of Pangasinan

Up to 2.5 meters: The eastern seaboard of the rest of Quezon; the northern seaboard of Camarines Sur; the northern and eastern seaboard of Catanduanes.

Up to 2.0 meters: The seaboard of Lubang Islands; the western seaboard of Bataan

A pivotal solo lead is up for grabs for National University as it eyes to preserve a spotless start against no less than reigning champion UP dealing with a surprising struggle in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament Saturday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila.

Action sizzles at 4:30 p.m. for the main game of the twin-bill that also features UST’s goal for a quick rebound, after losing to NU in the duel between unbeaten squads, against the winless UE at 2 p.m.

The Bulldogs currently share the pole position with Ateneo at 3-0 in a massive turnaround for both squads after finishing at the bottom last season, potentially pushing them into an even better position midway through the first round with another big win against the Fighting Maroons.

And NU has all the confidence to do the feat, riding on two blowout wins against Far Eastern University, 84-68, and UE, 72-57, laced by a 76-69 comeback versus UST, which beat top title contenders UP and La Salle.

”Yung character kasi, hindi na para kuwestiyunin ko sa mga players ko,’ said head coach Jeff Napa as NU solved the puzzle of super rookie Tiger Collins Akowe, who bled for just five points and eight rebounds after a torrid 24.5-point, 18-rebound average in the first two games.

‘But we don’t have time to celebrate as we’re up against another top contender in UP. We have to be ready.’

A stark contrast to NU is UP’s flat start to its title defense after losing to UST in a blowout and to Adamson via a buzzer-beater.

The Fighting Maroons finally entered the winner’s circle with a 92-75 drubbing of the Red Warriors, but coach Goldwin Monteverde wants more from his young unit following the graduation of longtime leader JD Cagulangan, Quentin Millora-Brown and Francis Lopez if they wish to win a second straight crown.

“I guess winning this game in this way would make us realize that it’s very important to play together. It’s not just about talent, it’s about having a quick intuition on making decisions din,” said Monteverde.

‘Win or lose, ang mindset namin is to improve everyday kung ano pa ba pwede naing pagandahin. Of course going towards NU, we will be prepared with the same mindset.’

By way of innovating its 63rd edition, the Miss International organization will be making a few changes in order to tweak its platform for the 21st century audience; with a new concept and new format.

For starters, they will be using original music in the final show. Plus, a Miami-based company will distribute the broadcasting rights of the 2025 competition.

This year’s pageant will have Manila-based production company AIKA Events and Productions to stage the final show on the last week of November in Tokyo, Japan – a first for the global tilt.

Moreover, the National Costume presentation show will be held in a venue with Mount Fuji in the background.

This year’s batch of contestants will also be the first to sing and perform the new Miss International theme song.

Binibining Pilipinas International 2024 Myrna Esguerra, who will be representing the Philippines in the international finals, will depart for Tokyo on the last week of October.

She hopes to join the ranks of Gemma Cruz (1964), Aurora Pijuan (1970), Melanie Marquez (1979), Precious Lara Quigaman (2005), Bea Rose Santiago (2013), and Kylie Versoza (2016) in proudly winning the Miss International crown for the Philippines.

The 63rd Miss International will unfold on November 27 at the Yoyogi National Stadium (2nd Gymnasium). Outgoing queen Huynh Thi-Thanh Thuy of Vietnam will crown her successor. Stay tuned!

‘I think the vice president is not in a position to make demands to Congress.’

That’s what Rep. Terry Ridon (Bicol Saro Party-list) said in an ambush interview on Friday, October 3, after Vice President Sara Duterte skipped budget deliberations three times while even setting conditions for her appearance.

He agreed with other minority lawmakers who already manifested their intention to move for the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) budget cut, saying Congress has all the reason to reduce it when Duterte did not even bother to defend her office’s budget.

‘So I think Congress is justified to just basically cut it to the barest operating levels,’ he said.

Rep. Leila de Lima (ML Party-list) was the first to propose cutting the OVP’s budget, even considering a zero allocation, but said that at the very least, funds should remain for its personnel and basic operations.

Minority lawmaker Rep. Antonio Tinio (ACT Teachers’ Party-list) said during Thursday’s plenary debates that the OVP had used only 34% of its budget by midyear. Duterte had explained at the committee-level hearing that the reason for the low utilization rate was due to procurement delays.

Ridon shared a similar idea to the minority lawmakers, saying perhaps the personnel services and relevant operating expenses should be kept.

‘Basically, anything more than personnel services and operating expenses, I think pwede na pong tapyasin po ito (I think they could be cut),’ he said.

Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong (Lanao del Sur, 1st District) said Duterte could have used the plenary to defend and explain why the budget increase was necessary, but ‘unfortunately, no explanation at all,’ he added.

He echoed De Lima’s criticism, noting how the vice president showed courtesy to the Senate but not to the House. He called it a ‘deliberate way’ of ‘expressing her preference’ for the Senate, which he said was insulting to the House as an institution.

‘That’s why sa amin, my working draft would be on the P700 million,’ Adiong said, clarifying that there’s no collective decision yet.

Tinio’s proposal, however, called for a deeper cut, retaining only the personnel services allocation of roughly P200 million for 2026.

How much the OVP wants in 2026

Under the 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP), the OVP was allocated P889.2 million in new appropriations, up by P156 million from the P733.2 million it received in 2025.

Driving the increase in the OVP’s proposed budget are an additional P87 million for supplies and materials, P52 million for professional services, and P39.6 million for financial assistance and subsidies – an item not funded in its 2025 budget.

‘Para sa professional services, 405% increase, para sa mga consultant, hindi natin alam kung para saan ‘yan, gusto sana natin malaman sa kanya,’ Tinio said.

(For professional services, a 405% increase-for consultants, we don’t know what it’s for. We would like to ask her to clarify.)

These allocations fall under the OVP’s maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) for 2026, pegged at P673.75 million or a 35% increase from 2025.

Meanwhile, personnel services were set at P212.54 million, about P24 million higher than this year’s budget.

Combined, the OVP’s operating expenditures will reach P886.29 million, or roughly P198.55 million more than its 2025 budget.

In other words, if lawmakers decide to retain the personnel services budget while trimming down the MOOE increase, the OVP would be left with around P728 million, including P16 million proposed for capital outlay.

This would put it nearly at par with its 2025 budget of P744.15 million, which already factored in automatic appropriations for retirement and life insurance premiums – or a reduction of nearly one-fifth from the proposed 2026 allocation.

Will the House be soft?

During this year’s budget hearings with the appropriations committee, the House took a softer approach to the OVP compared to 2024, when deliberations lasted hours and had to be deferred because lawmakers were not satisfied with the answers over her confidential fund use.

This time, the committee passed her office’s proposed budget quickly with just a few questions from two minority lawmakers, despite the increase.

However, with the OVP absent from the plenary debates, her office’s proposed budget increase could take a rough turn.