VP Sara Duterte reacts to DTI’s P500 Noche Buena budget

• Vice President Sara Duterte criticized the Department of Trade and Industry’s claim that a Filipino family can prepare a full Noche Buena meal with P500
• During a visit to Filipinos in The Hague, she dismissed the suggested budget as unrealistic and disconnected from what ordinary households actually experience
• The country’s second-in-command pointed out that the amount has long been insufficient, even before recent price hikes further strained family expenses
• She also cited the significantly higher cost of their own Christmas food packs to illustrate the wide gap between official estimates and real market prices

Vice President Sara Duterte has added her voice to the growing public backlash against the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) suggestion that a Filipino family can prepare a complete Noche Buena meal with P500.

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Speaking to Filipinos in The Hague—where she visited her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte—VP Sara firmly rejected the claim, calling it unrealistic and detached from the lived experiences of ordinary Filipinos.

“Hindi totoo na kasya na ang Noche Buena sa P500 pesos. Matagal na, na hindi kasya ang P500 pesos para sa Noche Buena ng pamilya,” the vice president said, as per a video shared by News5. Her remark emphasized that the amount has been insufficient for years, even before current commodity prices pushed household expenses to higher levels.

She further illustrated her point by citing the cost of their own holiday packs distributed during Christmas. “In fact, ‘yung sa amin na pinamimigay kapag Pasko, nasa P2,100 na ‘yun, ma’am. Ano ‘yun ma’am, spaghetti and yung salad pack,” she added, noting that even the most basic holiday bundles exceed the P500 mark by a wide margin.

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Sara’s statements come as more public figures, workers, and netizens challenge DTI’s recommended budget, arguing that it does not reflect rising food prices, stagnant wages, and the daily financial strain experienced by ordinary families.

Watch the video below:

Sara Zimmerman Duterte-Carpio, better known as Inday Sara, is a Filipino lawyer and public servant who currently holds the position of the Philippines’ 15th vice president. She is recognized as the country’s third woman vice president, the third coming from Mindanao, and the youngest to assume the role. She previously served as secretary of education until July 19, 2024. A daughter of the 16th president, Rodrigo Duterte, she also led Davao City as mayor from 2016 to 2022 and from 2010 to 2013, and earlier served as the city’s vice mayor from 2007 to 2010.

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In a report last September, Vice President Sara Duterte explained that she did not meet with Leni Robredo during this year’s Peñafrancia celebration to avoid criticism. She recalled their meeting last year, which drew backlash from the camp of Antonio Trillanes. According to Duterte, she did not want a repeat of the situation where Robredo was blamed simply for talking to her. During her visit to Naga, she attended the Mass, joined the Marian Procession, and visited the Porta Mariae Museum.

Months ago, Vice President Sara Duterte shared a touching message for former President Rodrigo Duterte. She posted a video tribute in honor of her father, who marked his 80th birthday on March 28. In the clip, the country’s second-highest official reflected on the important values her father had instilled in her. She also conveyed her warm and heartfelt birthday wishes to the former chief executive.

Source: KAMI.com.gh