Vice President (VP) Sara Duterte will not attend the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability deliberation on Wednesday, September 25.
In a letter addressed to Committee Chairperson Joel Chua, Duterte wrote that she will not be attending the continuation of the Committee’s deliberation for several reasons.
The Privilege Speech
The VP claimed that the inquiry is based on ‘unsubstantiated allegations’ contained in Cong's privilege speech. Rolando Valeriano. She cited Valeriano’s doubt on the reported beneficiaries and strategic partnerships over the 2023, 2024, and 2025 OVP budget.
Duterte said that such claims can be easily verified through the accomplishment reports submitted by their office to support the 2025 budget proposal. She confirmed the proposals through various news reports and postings on various social media platforms.
“Clearly, the conduct of a formal inquiry or hearing on the matter is unnecessary,” she said.
“Further, should there indeed be a need for a formal inquiry to (be) made, then a draft House bill should at least be presented to ensure that the discussions would be germane to the subject matter,” she added.
The House Rules on Procedures and the Respect for the Rights of Persons
Duterte mentioned how the House of Representatives does not hold any judicial or prosecutorial authority, as hearings and inquiries should only be used in aid of legislation.
She also said how certain words like “persons” and “witnesses” are two distinct categories, and cannot be causally taken as the same. Additionally, she said that the Constitution indicates that the House cannot compel people to participate in the legislative process.
Therefore, the pending issues before the Supreme Court should not be discussed before the House hearings, as it violates the said rule.
It was also mentioned that the OVP has been cooperating and coordinating with the Commission on Audit by the latter’s Rules of Procedure. However, the audit process has not been terminated yet.
Duterte requested that the inquiry be terminated immediately.
In the previous hearing, Duterte refuted Valeriano’s Privilege Speech, stating that it was a coordinated political attack. However, Chua clarified that the issue on the misuse of DepEd funds is a matter of public interest.
