EXPLANATION. Vice President Sara Duterte explains her refusal to defend the Office of the Vice President's budget proposal for 2025 before the House of Representatives in a recorded interview on Monday (Sept. 9, 2024). Duterte alleged that some lawmakers wanted to use the budget hearing for political purposes. (Screengrab)
MANILA – Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday underscored the need to disclose spending plans to the public amid criticisms after she refused to defend the PHP2.037 billion proposed budget of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) before the House of Representatives.
“Napakahalaga sa akin na malaman ng taong bayan ang (It’s very important for me for the public to know the) Office of the Vice President budget proposal,” Duterte said in a recorded video interview.
“Kaya nga bago kami pumunta sa Senate, bago kami pumunta sa House ay pinublish namin ‘yung budget proposal namin sa aming website sa Office of the Vice President, sa social media platforms namin, ginawa namin siyang madaling intindihin ng taumbayan (That’s why before we went to the senate, before we went to the House, we already published our proposal in the OVP website, on our social media platforms. We made sure it will be easily understood by the public),” she added.
On Aug. 20, the OVP posted the proposed budget breakdown for fiscal year 2025, citing 87.98 percent of the proposed allocations for programs and projects.
These include the majority of target allocation for financial assistance and subsidies worth PHP947.5 million for medical, burial, and educational assistance as well as Mag Negosyo Ta ‘Day program; PHP401.2 million for supplies and materials or welfare goods for the PagbaBAGo campaign, Disaster operations, R.I.C.E. program, Kalusugan food truck, Pansarap program, wheelchairs, and fuel for Libreng Sakay, among others; and PHP443.71 million for the Central and satellite offices rent, utilities, maintenance, and support expenses for operations.
The remaining 12.02 percent, meanwhile, shall be allocated for personnel services, equipment and vehicles of the OVP.
Duterte explained her refusal to defend the proposed budget during the Aug. 27 hearing, alleging that some lawmakers are taking advantage of the opportunity to launch their political attacks against her.
“Nakikita namin na ginagamit siya ng ibang mga miyembro, iilan na mga miyembro ng Kongreso para umatake sa akin dahil hindi kami magkasama sa pulitika (We are seeing that some members are using it, a few members of the Congress are using it to attack me because we’re not politically associated),” she said.
The Vice President also disagreed being called a “spoiled brat” after she let go of the chance to defend the budget in a question-and-answer format.
She said she is used to answering various issues, even in ambush or unarranged interviews, for the public’s awareness.
“Sanay ako sa ganyan, at alam ng taong bbayan na hindi ako bratinella o spoiled brat dahil kilala nila ako simula noong ako ay nasa Davao pa, simula ng ako ay mayor pa hanggang naging Vice President ako (I’m very used to it, and the public knows that I’m not a bratinella or spoiled brat because they know me since my Davao days, since my time as a mayor up until I became the Vice President),” Duterte added.
Attend budget scrutiny
Meanwhile, House leaders urged Duterte to prove she is not a "spoiled brat" by respecting the budget deliberation process and providing lawmakers, as representatives of the Filipino people, with the clear and direct answers.
House Deputy Majority Leader Jude Acidre of Tingog party-list stressed that the Vice President must prioritize transparency and accountability as a public official.
“Bakit ka nagpapaliwanag sa labas VP? Dito sa budget process ka magsalita sa ngalan ng transparency at accountability dahil pera ng taumbayan ang pinag-uusapan dito. Pumunta ka bukas [Tuesday] Vice President Duterte sa hearing (Why are you explaining outside? Speak here in the budget process in the name of transparency and accountability because we are talking about the people’s money. Attend Tuesday’s hearing),” Acidre said, referring to the resumption of the OVP budget hearing.
Assistant Majority Leader and Taguig 2nd District Rep. Amparo Maria Zamora reiterated that budget deliberations are not about “getting what we want” or “hearing what we want to hear” but about ensuring public funds are used properly.
“It is our duty to ask tough questions, and it’s her duty as an elected official to respond thoroughly and with clarity,” Zamora said. “Dismissing our queries as patutsada (side comments) undermines the process and the institution we are all part of. We ask for professionalism.”
Assistant Majority Leader Jil Bongalon of Ako Bicol party-list urged the Vice President to stop framing the hearing as a personal attack and instead recognize it as part of her responsibility as the country’s second highest official.
“The refusal to answer questions about the confidential funds only raises more concerns,” Bongalon noted. “If she believes she has done no wrong, she should welcome the chance to explain her office’s actions. Public service requires transparency and humility, especially in handling public funds.” (With a report from Jose Cielito Reganit/PNA)
