ACT Teachers Partylist Representative France Castro emphasized that the questioning conducted during the House Committee on Appropriations hearing regarding the Office of the Vice President's (OVP) 2025 budget is not meant to intimidate or harass VP Sara Duterte.
"Hindi naman [siya ginipit]. Siya nga ‘yung mas matapang pa kahapon. Parang entitled pa siya," Castro said during an exclusive interview with DZRH for Damdaming Bayan on Wednesday.
Castro said that the public has the right to know how the previous confidential funds of the OVP were spent, as this remains an ongoing issue.
This statement comes after a heated exchange during yesterday’s House hearing, where lawmakers and the Vice President clashed over her refusal to defend the office’s budget and her reluctance to answer questions.
"Kung ako personally, gusto nating tanggalin ‘yung mga proposed budget na hindi naman included sa kanyang mandato. Katulad niyan ‘yung pag-promote nung kanyang sarili sa pamamagitan nung kanyang mga book or nung kanyang ginawang book," Castro stated.
The representative claims that the OVP's budget includes programs or projects, such as medical assistance and aid, that are similar to those handled by other line agencies and are not part of her mandate.
Castro firmly declared that she would not approve the OVP's requested budget if it were up to her. She proposes reallocating the funds to government agencies that are responsible for these programs.
"Kailangan mo lang mag-request kung kailangan ng iyong mga constituents or mayroong nagrerequest sa mga kongresista at senador," Castro said.
"Kung ako, patatanggal ko ‘yan at ititira lang natin kung ano ‘yung mandato niya," she added.
Included among the projects of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) are the addition of satellite offices, the construction of a permanent office for the agency, and the establishment of museums.
Castro mentioned that the OVP will not be restricted from distributing aid, or "ayuda," as long as she requests the funds from the government agencies responsible for the types of projects the office is undertaking.
The representative also stated that the OVP does not need confidential or intelligence funds, as it is not an agency involved in surveillance. This is why such funds were removed from the office's 2024 budget.
