The House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability’s inquiry into Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) alleged misuse of public funds is nothing more than a ruse to launch another political attack and prepare for a possible filing of an impeachment case against her, Vice President Sara Duterte said on Wednesday, Sept. 18.
Vice President Sara Duterte (Photo from Inday Sara Duterte Facebook page)
Duterte made a surprise appearance during the inquiry on Wednesday and delivered a scathing seven-minute opening speech, wherein she criticized the panel and the privilege speech delivered by Manila 2nd district Rep. Rolando Valeriano last Sept. 3.
“What we are witnessing now is no ordinary legislative inquiry. This exercise is a well-funded and coordinated political attack,” she said.
“This much is evident from the very words of the privilege speech that prompted this inquiry—a speech that simply meant to say: “Do not vote for Sara in 2028”. It is clear to me that this inquiry is not about misused funds, accountability or governance. Instead, it is solely aimed at discrediting my name and my office to prevent future political contests,” she added.
The Vice President remained seated while witnesses and resource persons from the Commission on Audit (COA), the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and OVP staff took their oath.
She refused to take oath after arguing that only witnesses are required to do so and that the Committee regards her as a resource person and not a witness.
Duterte further accused that the inquiry wasn’t meant to simply slash her budget because if that was the case, it would be easy to do so.
“If you feel that all the documentary submissions are not enough, then by all means, huwag kayo magbigay ng budget (don’t give me a budget),” she challenged.
The privilege speech by Valeriano assailed the Vice President for her supposed failure to cooperate how her office is utilizing public funds.
This was after the official refused to answer queries during the Aug. 27 House Committee on Appropriations hearing on the OVP’s P2.037 budget proposal for 2025 and said that she was leaving it to Congress’ discretion to grant the proposal or not.
“Sa totoo lang, hindi naman ang budget ang puntirya ninyo dahil napakadali naman magtanggal ng budget (In truth, budget is not your target because it’s easy to remove the budget). What you are trying to do is make a case for impeachment,” she argued.
Maintaining that she doesn’t have plans to run in the coming elections, Duterte stated she is simply remaining true to her oath of office and campaign platforms to provide jobs, education, and security.
“So you may try to destroy me. You can skin me alive, burn me, and throw my ashes to the wind. But let it be known: You will find me unbowed. I will continue to serve the Filipino people, no matter the personal cost or political intrigue,” the official stressed.
Despite this, the Vice President said she won’t allow herself “to be subjected to an inquiry based on an empty privilege speech just so you can attack me and do indirectly what you failed to do directly during the budget hearings.”
“I, therefore, request this committee to terminate this inquiry for its clear lack of any proposed legislation or substantive matter for discussion,” she added.