Vice President Sara Duterte’s “theatrics” are “unnecessary,” said a legislator, but has proven useful for finding faults in and rectifying the government funding system.
In an exclusive interview on DZRH, Rep. Jude Acidre of the Tingog Partylist stressed that amid the chaos surrounding Duterte’s hearings, the central issue remains: the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) missing confidential funds.
“Ang isyu lang po talaga, at gusto kong linawin, ang buong isyu ay may nawawalang—o may hindi ma-explain ng maayos—sa ₱600 million na confidential funds,” he told RH Milky Rigonan.
(The real issue is, and I want to make it clear, from the ₱600 million in confidential funds, a part is missing or can’t be accounted for.)
“Patuloy tayong nagiging respectful. Sine-stretch natin ang ating pasensya. Kasi alam naman natin, itong mga pagdinig na ito, ay hindi lamang ukol sa politika, ukol sa atin personally—specific personalities,” he said, noting the Office’s evasiveness and, at times, outright disregard for congresspersons’ queries.
(We continue to be respectful. We are stretching our patience. Because we know, these hearings, they aren’t just about politics, or about specific personalities.)
Acidre said that all Duterte has to do in order to shed light on the issue was to come before the committee, take her oath, and explain how the funds were used.
“Ganoon lang kasimple,” he said, adding that her “theatrics” and the “drama” was “very unnecessary,” and actually “harmful” for the government’s political stability.
Although he admitted to looking forward to the conclusion of this series of hearings, he acknowledged that the OVP’s anomalies have taught the House of Representatives a number of things.
“Sa totoo lang, hindi naman din sayang ‘yung oras. Marami din naman kaming natututunan. For example, ‘yung usapin ng confidential funds. Na-realize natin, kailangan, mas mahigpit tayo sa polisiya natin ukol sa confidential funds, without defeating the purpose of it being confidential,” he stated.
(Truth be told, it hasn’t been a waste of time. We learned a lot. For example, on the matter of confidential funds. We realized that we need to be stricter with the policies concerning confidential funds, without defeating the purpose of it being confidential.)
Based on their probes, another issue is that the funds have not been proportionate, he recognized.
Acidre assured the Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability will be deliberating on and filing bills to address the loopholes found, possibly in the following weeks.
