Vice President Sara Duterte (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)

A sworn affidavit is not enough.

House Deputy Majority Leader Paolo Ortega V of La Union’s 1st district and Assistant Majority Leader Jay Khonghun of Zambales’ 1st district had this to say in response to Vice President Sara Duterte's announcement that she won't be attending the Nov. 20 hearing of the Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability.

Instead, the lady official said that she would submit a sworn affidavit addressing allegations of her misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds in 2022 and 2023.

"Gagamitin ang affidavit para makatakas at hindi na mag-appear sa hearing. Hindi ito sapat para linawin ang mga isyu ng confidential funds. Harapin niya ang mga tanong ng publiko at ng Kongreso,” Ortega said.

(She will use the affidavit to escape and avoid appearing at the hearing. This isn't enough to give clarification on the issue of confidential funds. She should face the questions from the public and Congress.)

"Kung walang itinatago, bakit hindi kayang sagutin nang harapan ang tanong ng Kongreso at ng taumbayan?” Khonghun said.

(If there is nothing to hide, why can't she answer head-on the questions of Congress and the people?)

Chaired by Manila 3rd district Rep. Joel Chua, the so-called House Blue Ribbon Committee, is investigating the alleged misuse of P500 million in confidential funds under the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and P112.5 million under the Department of Education (DepEd), during  Vice President Duterte’s watch.

Duterte attended the first hearing on Sept. 18 but refused to take an oath as a resource person. She declined to answer lawmakers’ questions, and left early after delivering a brief statement criticizing the probe. 

She has since skipped four subsequent hearings, and cited constitutional concerns and questioned the investigation’s necessity.

During a recent House quad-comm hearing, attended by her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, the Vice President was personally handed an invitation to the Nov. 20 hearing of the Chua panel. She personally signed it as "received".

Khonghun and Ortega stressed that submitting an affidavit instead of appearing in person undermines the principles of transparency and accountability.

“The House Blue Ribbon Committee has given the Vice President every opportunity to clarify the use of public funds under her office. Ang tanong ng taongbayan: Nasaan ang malinaw na paliwanag? (The people is asking: Where's the clear explanation?)” Khonghun said.

Ortega warned that Duterte’s continued absence would only fuel public doubt. “Kung magpapatuloy ang pag-iwas, lalong magdududa ang publiko. Huwag natin hayaan ang mga ‘budol’ tactics na maghari.”

(The public’s doubt would only grow if she continues to be evasive. Tactics of deception, uat not reign supreme.)