La Union 1st district Rep. Paolo Ortega V echoed on Monday, Sept. 23 a question that was on the minds of many netizens that day: Did Vice President Sara Duterte really go on a beach trip instead of appearing before the House of Representatives?
Did VP Duterte skip House budget debate for beach trip? Ortega wants to know
Sep 23, 2024 10:40 AM
At a glance
La Union 1st district Rep. Paolo Ortega V (left), Vice President Sara Duterte (Facebook)
La Union 1st district Rep. Paolo Ortega V echoed on Monday, Sept. 23 a question that was on the minds of many netizens that day: Did Vice President Sara Duterte really go on a beach trip instead of appearing before the House of Representatives?
This, as reports and photos alleging that Vice President Duterte was vacationing at Calaguas Island in Camarines Norte began to spread on social media Monday.
The supposed beach trip took place on the same weekend that the Vice President visited her predecessor, Leni Robredo, at the latter’s resilience in Naga City, also in Bicol.
"If these reports are accurate, it is deeply concerning that the Vice President chose leisure over fulfilling her official constitutional duties to the nation. The budget deliberation is a critical process, one that ensures transparency and accountability in the use of public funds," Ortega said.
The plenary budget schedule for the Office of the Vice President (OVP), which has a proposed P2.037-billion budget for 2025, was listed at 10 a.m. Monday.
As of this posting, no one from the OVP has appeared for the purpose of participating in the budget discussion before the 300-plus strong plenary.
It's unprecedented for an agency head, especially an official of Vice President Duterte's stature, to no-show the budget debates in the House.
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"The budget of the OVP is not just a number; it represents the people's money. The Vice President should be present to answer questions and justify the allocations, especially since her office plays a significant role in national governance," Ortega said.
"While acceptable reasons for absence include personal emergencies or health issues, choosing to relax at a beach resort during a pivotal moment in Congress is a clear disregard for the responsibilities of her position," added the Young Guns bloc member.
"This isn’t just about one office—delays in discussions affect public trust in government institutions and hinder the delivery of essential services to the people," he further said.