Vice President (VP) Sara Duterte’s absence from the supposed budget hearing for the Office of the Vice President (OVP) is a betrayal of public trust, and of the constitutional duty in the budget process, Rep. Ramon Gutierrez remarked on Tuesday, September 24.
In a press conference by the House of Representatives, the panel discussed the postponement of the 2025 OVP budget hearing due to the VP’s nonappearance, and failure to assign someone from the office to take over. Gutierrez stressed that the concept of voting greatly relies on public trust.
“Kapag tayo ay nag bo-boto, we as the public repose our trust and confidence that the elected official will uphold his/her constitution-mandated duties,” he stressed.
The lawmaker furthered said that an official is supposed to appear before the House to defend their proposed budget.
“When an official who is supposed to appear before the House, and defend his/her budget, fails to do so; To an extent betrayal of public trust ‘yon. That is true. It is the betrayal and that constitutional duty for his/her part in the budget process,” he said.
According to Gutierrez, the degree of public trust must be considered, as officials are responsible for fulfilling that duty. House Deputy Speaker David Suarez expressed his disappointment with the outcome as it is a crucial part of the budgetary process.
“Personally, I'm disappointed. I would have expected more. This is such an important part in the budgetary process. And if you can see, and if you have seen—in the past few days, weeks—secretaries are here waiting for more than 10 hours just so that their department can be presented in plenary,” he said.
“No one is excused from this process, so I do understand the frustrations of Congressman Manuel, and I do respect where he’s coming from. With regards to that, I’m still hopeful na sana itong mga darating na araw naman; dumating, magpaliwanag (si VP Sara Duterte) para matapos na natin ito,” the House Deputy Speaker added.
The final day of the OVP’s 2025 budget plenary deliberation was supposed to be held on Monday, September 23. However, Duterte’s absence caused the delay in the budget interpolation.
House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan asked that Duterte provide a valid reason for her non-appearance.
