Vice President Sara Duterte (left), Ako-Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co (Facebook)

The usually reserved Ako-Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co didn't mince words against Vice President Sara Duterte as he responded to the latter's allegation that only he and House Speaker Martin Romualdez have control over the national budget. 

Co, chairman of the Committee on Appropriations, said of the Vice President's accusation: "Again, malaking pambubudol na naman nila yan. Akala siguro nila hindi matalino ang taumbayan." 

(That is another huge trickery. They probably think the people aren't smart.) 

“Ang Committee on Appropriations po ay may miyembro na 139 at ang vice chairmen ay 36," Co explained. 

(The Commiittee on Appropriations has 139 members and 36 vice chairmen.) 

The lawmaker added that the national budget will also be reviewed by the 24 senators and then by the Bicameral Conference Committee of the Senate and Congress, which have 30 members. 

“So, paano na dalawang tao lang ang may hawak ng national budget, e ang daming dinadaanan niyan," said the party-list representative. 

(So how is it that only two people have control over the national budget, when it will go through a lot of processes.) 

Co added, "Mukhang hindi alam ni VP na ang Office of the President ang mag-e-execute ng budget at hindi ang Congress." 

(Looks like VP doesn't know that it's the Office of the President that executes the budget and not Congress.) 

The appropriations panel on Tuesday, Sept. 10 adjourned the per agency deliberations on the P6.352-trillion National Expenditure Program (NEP) for 2025 or proposed national budget. 

Co--known in chamber to be quiet and non-confrontational--also challenged the Vice President that it would be better for her to first answer the questions of Congress and the Commission on Audit (COA) on how she spent the P125 million confidential and intelligence fund in just 11 days. 

“Bago siya mag-akusa ng kung anu-ano, kanino, e, sagutin niya muna ang tanong ng taumbayan - Saan mo dinala yung pondo ng bayan?" he added. 

(Before she makes accusations, she should answer first the question of the people--where did you bring the public funds?) 

The appropriation chairman also wondered why she did not attend the budget hearing of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) Tuesday.