VICE President Sara Duterte lived up to the brand for which her family is known for – arrogantly stubborn even as she engaged in what looks more like a barb trade against members of the House of Representatives during the 2025 budget deliberation for the Office of the Vice President.
The confrontational Duterte refused to answer questions about the OVP’s funds.
“I would like to forgo the opportunity to defend the budget in the question-and-answer format. I would leave it to the House to decide on the budget submitted,” Duterte told members of the House appropriations committee.
However, when the deliberation started, Duterte repeatedly interrupted Rep. Stella Quimbo in her capacity as senior vice chairperson of the appropriations committee.
The Vice President went as far as calling for an adjournment of the deliberation which she claimed was just a waste of time.
“We are just wasting our time here,” an exasperated Duterte said following the rejection of her call for the replacement of Quimbo as presiding officer.
As if Quimbo ain’t enough, VP Sara likewise picked a word war with partylist legislators forming part of the Makabayan bloc – Deputy Minority Leader France Castro of ACT Teachers, House Assistant Minority Leader Arlene Brosas of Gabriela, and Kabataan Representative Raoul Manuel.
After being recognized by the presiding officer, Castro asked Duterte to explain how she used her P125 million confidential fund in 2022.
“According to COA, the notice of disallowance amounted to P73,287,000 out of P125 million…. Expenses on tables, chairs, desktop computers, reached P30.5 million. Can you explain why these were purchased?” Castro asked.
“This is a hearing on the budget of 2025. Where are the confidential funds here?” replied Duterte who reminded Castro that she didn’t request a confidential fund for the next calendar year.
For the longest time, Congress never had an encounter with government officials as insolent as VP Sara, even as questions pitched to her were simply replications of what had been asked even under the previous congress.
“Kapag nasusukol na ang pusit ay naglalabas ng maitim na tinta. Ayaw natin ng ganoon. Ang pinag-uusapan dito ay budget. Huwag naman mag-ugaling pusit ang Office of the Vice President,” a sarcastic Castro commented.
Interestingly, Davao City 3rd Representative Isidro Ungab tried – but failed – to convince the committee not to include in the transcript Castro’s “squid tactic” comments.
Referred to as home of the so-called Honorables, Duterte single-handedly pulled off a breakdown of public decorum. (ANGEL F. JOSE)
