Insisting that creating an independent commission to investigate the massive corruption in the government’s infrastructure projects is “nothingness,” Vice President Sara Duterte said on Tuesday, Sept. 16, that President Marcos should just ask Speaker Martin Romualdez to step down.

In an interview after attending the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) budget deliberations in the House of Representatives, the official stressed that the President—a former ally—should simply “act” immediately and not waste time on such commission.

“Actually, hindi na nga siya (it’s not just) too little too late. Nothing na nga siya eh. Nothingness na ang ginagawa ngayon (it’s nothing, he’s doing nothingness),” she said.

Duterte pointed out that as president, Marcos has first-hand knowledge on how the taxpayers’ money is being stolen.

“So, ano pang commission, anong truth commission, ano pa yung investigative body kailangan mo. Nandiyan na yung budget, nakikita natin kung paano siya kinuha (So, what commission, what truth commission, what is the investigative body for when you see the budget is being stolen)?,” she asked.

“Hindi niya alam kung ano ang gagawin at masyado siyang mabagal gumalaw. Nagmamadali ang Pilipinas eh (He doesn’t know what to do and he’s so slow to act. The Philippines wants accountability),” Duterte said, referring to Marcos.

The Vice President instead said that Marcos should already be removing Romualdez—his cousin—from the speakership position in the lower house and order his allies to fix the budget.

Her comments came after Malacañang announced the composition of an independent investigative commission that will look into the billions of pesos worth of anomalous flood control projects involving several government officials and private contractors.

Romualdez and Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co have both been mentioned in the congressional hearings currently being conducted into the controversy. Senators Joel Villanueva and Jinggoy Estrada have also been tagged.