Vice President Sara Duterte (Santi San Juan/MANILA BULLETIN)

Instead of resorting to “outbursts and dramatic behavior”, Vice President Sara Durterte should instead channel her energy before the House of Representatives panel investigating her alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds, congressmen said.

The Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, also referred to as the House Blue Ribbon Committee, is currently investigating the alleged misuse of funds by the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) under Duterte’s term as secretary.

The panel's next hearing is scheduled on Monday, Nov. 25.

La Union 1st district Rep. Paolo Ortega V said Duterte should just explain what happened to the confidential funds, instead of opting into “theatrics”.

“Kung kaya niyang maglabas ng matapang na pahayag na parang wala namang sense, dapat kaya rin niyang harapin ang Blue Ribbon Committee at ipaliwanag ang paggamit ng P612.5 milyong confidential funds. Tama na ang drama at budol,” Ortega said in a statement on Sunday, Nov. 24.

(If she can make bold statements that seem nonsensical, she should also be able to face the Blue Ribbon Committee and explain the use of the P612.5 million in confidential funds. Enough with the drama and deception.)

The lawmaker’s statement comes after Duterte revealed in a press briefing that she had spoken with an assassin and gave instructions to kill President Marcos, his wife, and the House Speaker if she were to be killed.

Ortega, a deputy majority leader, said Duterte’s remarks only raise serious concerns about her ability to maintain composure and accountability in her role as the country’s second top official.

“Ang ganitong asal ay hindi akma sa isang Bise Presidente (This kind of behavior is not fitting for a Vice President). Instead of spewing seemingly unintelligible threats, she should use that spunk to clarify the serious allegations surrounding her office,” the lawmaker noted.

“Kung walang itinatago, dapat handang magpaliwanag. Sa kanyang outburst, ni hindi niya sinama yung paliwanag niya sa P612.5 confidential funds. Hindi ba ‘yun diverting the issue?” he added.

(If there is nothing to hide, one should be ready to explain. In her outburst, she didn't even include an explanation about the P612.5 million in confidential funds. Isn't that diverting the issue?)

Ortega pointed out that Duterte can show leadership by attending the hearings of the ongoing inquiry.

He says this is the Vice President’s chance to show the Filipino people that she values accountability and governance.

“Kung matapang ka sa pananalita, sana maging matapang ka rin sa pagpapaliwanag,” he said.

(If you are brave in speech, you should also be brave in explaining.)

Earlier, Duterte caused a ruckus inside the House premises after reportedly violating protocols to visit her Chief -of-Staff Zuleika Lopez, who is under detention.

The Vice President’s visit prompted a temporary lockdown at Batasang Pambansa after she refused to leave after the allotted time. 

“If she’s raring and ready to pick a fight then she should face the House panel and take her oath,” said Akbayan Party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña in a separate statement.

“Imbes na magpakabratinella at ibully niya ang mga empleyado ng Congress, sagutin niya ang mga tanong tungkol sa paggastos niya sa pera ng OVP at ng DepEd,” he added.

(Instead of acting like a brat and bullying the employees of Congress, she should answer the questions about her spending of the OVP and DepEd funds.)

Cendaña also urged stronger action against Duterte’s threats to have the country’s top officials killed. 

“Mamimihasa lang si Sara kung hahayaan lang natin siya na hindi managot sa mga pananakot niya,” he said.

(Sara will only become more brazen if we let her get away with threats without holding her accountable.)