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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Amid public appearances, VP Sara told to finally answer the big question

Amid public appearances, VP Sara told to finally answer the big question

Published Apr 28, 2025 12:51 pm

At A Glance

  • Now that Vice President Sara Dutertehas been making public appearances left and right, House Assistant Majority Leader Zambales 1st district Rep. Jay Khonghun has advised the impeached official to give "a clear explanation" on the confidential funds issue.

20240918_120515.jpgVice President Sara Duterte (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now that Vice President Sara Dutertehas been making public appearances left and right, House Assistant Majority Leader Zambales 1st district Rep. Jay Khonghun has advised the impeached official to give "a clear explanation" on the confidential funds issue.

Khonghun said Vice President Duterte’s refusal to give a clear accounting will not help her case once her impeachment trial begins in the Senate.

“Hindi puwedeng puro iyak o galit. Ang kailangan dito, malinaw na paliwanag. Pondo ito ng taumbayan (It cannot just be all tears or anger. What is needed here is a clear explanation. This is the people's funds)," said the ranking congressman.

The Vice President has been under heavy scrutiny after it was revealed that she spent P125 million out of P612.5 million in confidential funds in just 11 days in December 2022, as cited in the articles of impeachment lodged against her.

Despite repeated calls from lawmakers and the public to explain, Khonghun said Duterte has either dismissed the issue or avoided directly addressing the allegations.

“Kung may maayos siyang paliwanag, sana noon pa niya ginawa. Pero ang paulit-ulit na pag-iwas, nakakadagdag lang sa bigat ng paratang sa kanya (If she had a proper explanation, she should have given it earlier. But her repeated evasion only adds weight to the accusations against her)," he said.

The Vice President has been making appearances in select sorties as of late in the lead-up to the May 12 mid-term elections.

Khonghun says that Duterte’s silence on the issue is not an act of strength, but a failure to meet her accountability to the people.

“It’s not strength to stay silent when you owe the public an explanation. It is weakness. Real leadership means facing the people, telling them the truth and standing by your actions,” said the "Young Guns" bloc member.

In a recent interview, Duterte once again refused to discuss the confidential fund issue, and claimed that her political enemies were attacking her for personal gain.

“Nagsasalita siya tungkol sa kung anu-anong conspiracy pero hindi siya nagsasalita kung paano ginamit ang milyun-milyong pondo. ’Yan ang problema (She talks about various conspiracies, but she doesn't address how the millions of funds were used. That is the issue)," Khonghun said.

He urged the Vice President to respect the institutions she claims to support by cooperating fully in the impeachment process.

“Kung talagang mahal niya ang bayan, dapat harapin niya ang proseso. Hindi ‘yung puro drama at pag-iwas. Kasi sa totoo lang, lalong siyang maiipit kung itutuloy niya ang pananahimik,” Khonghun said. 

(If she truly loves the nation, she should face the process. It should not be all drama and avoidance. Because, honestly, her continued silence will only make her situation worse.)

 

Related Tags

Impeachment Jay Khonghun Sara Duterte Confidential funds
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