No sworn affidavit was submitted by Vice President Sara Duterte during the House good government committee hearing on Wednesday, Nov. 20, after lawmakers said that an affidavit would not be enough to answer concerns about her office’s confidential funds use.
Vice President Sara Duterte speaks to the media at the Office of the Vice President-Caraga Satellite Office in Butuan City on Nov. 20, 2024. (OVP screenshot)
In a press conference held at the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) Caraga Satellite Office in Butuan City, the official said she did not waste her time issuing an affidavit anymore.
“Sabi nila insufficient daw, na hindi nila tanggapin, so hindi na rin ako nag-submit, hindi na rin ako nag-aksaya gumawa pa ng affidavit (They said it’s insufficient, that they will not accept it, so I did not submit, I did not waste time executing an affidavit anymore),” she explained.
Duterte was again a no-show at the House Good Government and Public Accountability Committee hearing held on Nov. 20 over the OVP’s alleged misuse of public funds, as well as its confidential funds utilization.
In a letter addressed to House good government committee chairman Rep. Joel Chua, the Vice President explained her reasons for skipping the hearing.
“It may also be recalled that despite attending the hearing last 18 September 2024, I was not asked a single question which then prompted my request to eventually be excused,” the letter read.
“In view of the foregoing, I would like to respectfully inform you that I will not be attending the hearing scheduled on 20 November 2024,” Duterte furthered.
Lawmakers already earlier explained that the reason the Vice President was not asked questions during the Sept. 18 hearing was because of her refusal to take an oath.
The official said any possible attendance to a future hearing would be dealt with on a “case-to-case basis.”
“Well, it remains to be seen. It will be on case-to-case basis,” Duterte stated.