Vice President Sara Duterte refuted Manila 2nd District Congressman Rolando Valeriano’s Privilege speech No. 379, during the Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability’s deliberation on Wednesday, September 18.
Rep. Valeriano’s Privilege speech No. 379 on ‘Asserting Power of the Purse’ was delivered last September 3.
During the hearing on Wednesday, the former informed that after the deliverance of his speech, the Committee on Appropriations decided to reduce the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) proposed 2025 budget.
He furthered that this was partly due to beneficiaries and strategic partnerships.
“Ang pagtanggi ni Vice President (VP) Sara na sagutin ang mga tanong tungkol sa kanyang panukalang budget at ang kuwestyonable niyang pag gastos sa mga nagdaang OVP budget na sinita ng Commission on Audit ang mga dahilan kung bakit tayo narito ngayon,” he stated.
However, VP Sara insisted that there was no misuse of funds within their office. She added that if there are audit findings, they shall gladly respond to them before the Commission on Audit.
Moreover, the Vice President claimed the inquiry was a well-funded and coordinated political attack. The words of the privilege speech, she said, meant: “Do not vote for Sara in 2028.”
“It is clear to me, that this inquiry is not about the misuse of funds, accountability, or governance, instead it is solely aimed at discrediting my name, and my office to prevent future political contests,” she said.
She furthered that the House is trying to make a case for her impeachment, and told the panel to shift their focus on the crucial battles that the Philippines is facing.
“Ilang beses ko nang inulit na hindi ako ang problem ng bayan na ito. Ang totoong problema ng bayan ay kagutuman, kahirapan, illegal na droga, kriminalidad, terorismo, hindi sapat na healthcare, kalidad ng edukasyon, kawalan ng plano ng inprastraktura para sa disasters, at marami pang iba,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Committee’s Chairperson, Atty. Joel Chua clarified that the issue of the misuse of funds is a matter of public interest. How the funds are used and allocated does not just concern the government, but also the public.
“The issue on confidential funds is a matter of public interest. Lahat tayo ay interesado, hindi lang tayo, pati yung publiko ay interesado kung paano ito nagamit. Kaya ‘yun ang dahilan why this committee has jurisdiction over the subject matter,” Hon. Joel Chua stressed.
