Manila 3rd district Rep. Joel Chua (left), Vice President Sara Duterte (Facebook)

The chairman of the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability has assured that Vice President Sara Duterte's much-panned refusal to take an oath during a panel inquiry last week won't become a precedent. 

Panel chairman, Manila 3rd district Rep. Joel Chua insisted in a statement Sunday, Sept. 22 that House rules require all witnesses and resource persons to testify under oath to ensure transparency and truthfulness in their testimonies. 

'Para malaman po natin kung sila ay nagsasabi ng totoo at pawang katotohanan lamang," Chua said. 

(So that we'll know if they're telling the truth and nothing but the truth.l 

The oath is usually given to all those invited as resource persons and witnesses in congressional hearings. It simply states: “Do you solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth (in this inquiry)? So help you, God.” 

Vice President Duterte reportedly broke both House rules and tradition when she chose not to take her oath during the Wednesday, Sept.18 hearing of the Chua. The committee purposely convened to probe the Office of the Vice President's (OVP) fund usage. 

The basis of the probe was Manila 2nd district Rep. Rolando Valeriano's scathing privilege speech against Vice President Duterte earlier this month wherein he alleged the Office of the Vice President's (OVP) misuse of millions in funds for socio-economic programs. 

Chua said that even former President Joseph Estrada and the late former presidents Fidel V. Ramos and Benigno “Noynoy” S. Aquino III took their oath when invited as resource persons during a congressional inquiry. 

Chua added that the committee's decision to allow Vice President Duterte to speak without taking the oath was out of respect for her office, and that such a courtesy will not be extended to others in future hearings.