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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Makabayan solon calls the Vice President a 'spare tire'; OVP reacts

Makabayan solon calls the Vice President a 'spare tire'; OVP reacts

Published Sep 27, 2023 12:09 pm

At A Glance

  • Davao de Oro 1st district Rep, Maria Carmen Zamora made a case during the House budget plenary debates that the Vice President isn't a mere "spare tire" for the presidency. 

20230913_210436.jpgVice President Sara Duterte (left), ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro (Facebook, Rep. Castro's office)

The Vice President isn't a mere "spare tire" for the presidency.

Davao de Oro 1st district Rep, Maria Carmen Zamora made a case for such during the plenary debate on the Office of the Vice President's (OVP) 2024 budget at the House of Representatives.

During the plenary discussion, interpellator ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro aired her opinion that the Vice President was a walking spare tire.

"Syempre itong mandato ng Vice President ay just ah...excuse me for the term--spare tire ng Presidente just in case may mangyari. Yun naman talaga yung pinaka-mandato nito (Of course the mandate of the Vice President is just...excuse me for the term--a spare tire for the Presiden just in case something happens. That's what its mandate is)," Castro said.

Zamora, the OVP budget sponsor, quickly interjected to give her take on the matter as Vice President Sara Duterte sat just a few feet away from her.

"On the statement that the Vice President is just a spare tire. May I reiterate and may I emphasize Mr. Speaker that the Vice President is the second highest office in the land," Zamora said.

"And coming from the executive department, the OVP is also mandated to promote the welfare of every Filipino," the Mindanao solon said, adding, "Traditionally, the Office of the Vice President has been providing socio-economic services under the past several administrations."

"And the office believes that no single agency has monopoly to provide public service," Zamora said.

It is widely known that under the rule of succession, the Vice President takes over when the sitting President passes away or is unable to perform his or her functions.

"The Vice President of the Philippines is the second highest executive official of the government. Her mandate includes assisting the President and assuming the presidency in case of succession," Zamora said before concluding her budget defense.

She said that as the secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd), Duterte has advocated for various issues, proposing policies and engaging with the public to raise awareness about important matters.

"We emphasize that the OVP's actions are in alignment with the law and ihas always been in conformity and synergy with the Constitution and co-equal branches in government," she noted.

"The hold immense respect for Congress as we hold the power of the purse. This critical responsibility enables careful allocation of resources to serve the nation's needs and aspirations. The OVP honor this constitutional prerogative as she is committed to ensuring prudence and inclusivity in financial decisions," Zamora said.

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Office of the Vice President spare tire Sara Duterte
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