House solons disappointed over VP Sara Duterte’s statements, behavior during OVP budget utilization hearing

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00:00Once again, lawmakers and Vice President Sara Duterte did not get along,

00:05this time during the hearing on the budget utilization of the OVP.

00:10House Solons did not particularly like the attitude of the second-highest official of the land,

00:15while for her part, the VP explained why she conducted herself in such a manner.

00:21Mela Lesmoras tells us more.

00:24Several lawmakers expressed disappointment over the statements and behavior shown by Vice President Sara Duterte

00:32when she appeared in today's hearing of the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability.

00:38The panel discussed the budget utilization of the Office of the Vice President in recent years,

00:43including the P125 million in confidential funds allocated to the OVP in 2022,

00:50as well as the Department of Education's use of funds during the time when VP Sara was still its secretary.

00:56Right at the start of the discussion, the Vice President refused to take an oath,

01:00which is usually done by individuals attending such proceedings.

01:04In her speech, VP Sara also took a jab against the lower house, while also defending her office.

01:11We have not done anything wrong.

01:17There is no misuse of funds.

01:22If there are audit findings, we shall gladly respond to them before the Commission on Audit.

01:31And if there are legitimate cases to be filed, then we shall gladly respond to them before the appropriate courts.

01:39So, you may try to destroy me, you can skin me alive and throw my ashes to the wind,

01:46but let it be known, you will find me unbowed.

01:53I will continue to serve the Filipino people no matter the personal cost or political intrigue.

02:01Following this, VP Duterte requested to be excused from the hearing, which the committee allowed,

02:07but the lawmakers were not able to ask her questions.

02:10According to Batanga's 2nd District Representative Gervil Luistro,

02:14it is the obligation of all public officials to address any issues raised against them,

02:19so she felt this was a missed opportunity.

02:23I wish to remind the committee, our esteemed colleagues, and the Filipino people of the constitutional mandate

02:33that public office is a public trust.

02:37When there is a question, we're bound to answer.

02:40We're bound to explain.

02:42As a matter of fact, no less than the Philippine Constitution provides,

02:47we are accountable to the Filipino people at all times.

02:52I hope that the OVP will be enlightened to address the issues

03:00instead of attacking this institution of politicizing and matters concerning politics.

03:08Kabataan Partylist Representative Raul Manuel and House Assistant Majority Leader Jefferson Conghun shared the same view.

03:15Conghun also clarified that they were not attacking the Vice President.

03:19The purpose of this inquiry is not to attack anyone,

03:24but to shed light on matters that affect our nation's governance.

03:28Refusing to testify under oath sends a signal that there is something to avoid.

03:34We are disappointed.

03:36Actually, this hearing is accompanied by a plenary debate on the Budget for 2025.

03:46We have afforded several opportunities for the OVP,

03:53not only in our formal budget hearings, but also in the Committee on Good Government, Mr. Chair.

03:59I think, again, we can let the Filipino people judge

04:03on the performance of our officials in the government.

04:10Although Vice President Duterte left the hearing immediately,

04:13the hearing continued where representatives and resource persons

04:17from the Commission on Audit and the Department of Budget and Management

04:20responded to questions from congressmen,

04:22particularly regarding the OVP's budget utilization.

04:25At one point in the hearing,

04:27the rising temperature from the lawmakers' rhetoric led to a heated exchange

04:31when SAGIP Partylist Representative Rodante Marcoleta spoke to defend the Vice President.

04:36Are you rebuking this committee?

04:39Why am I supposed to rebuke the committee?

04:41You have been saying things for a while.

04:45What?

04:46You have been rebuking this committee.

04:49We are not blaming the Vice President on this.

04:52Honorable Marcoleta, we are not blaming the committee.

05:01After that, SAGIP Partylist Representative Rodante Marcoleta

05:04and Abang Lingkod Partylist Representative Stephen Paduano nearly came to blows.

05:09Meanwhile, in an interview,

05:10Vice President Duterte explained the reason behind her behavior during the hearing.

05:15They sent me the rules,

05:17and I studied the rules.

05:19It was stated in the rules

05:21that only witnesses will vote.

05:24They repeatedly said that I am a resource person.

05:29So I said,

05:30why would I vote

05:32if a resource person said that to me?

05:35The difference between a witness and a resource person is huge.

05:39For their part,

05:40House Solons reiterated they're just doing their job,

05:43and definitely not politicking.

05:45Melales Moras from the National TV Network

05:48for a new and better Philippines.

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