Vice President Sara Duterte once again appeared alone at the House of Representatives on Tuesday for the budget hearing of the Office of the Vice President (OVP).
In an interview with the media, Duterte explained that she decided to face the hearing without her staff due to lingering anxiety and health issues caused by last year’s proceedings.
“Nag-usap kami ng mga kasamahan ko sa Office of the Vice President. Siyempre, lahat ay apprehensive pa sa nangyari noon sa committee hearings sa House of Representatives sa mga personnel ng OVP. Ang daming kinabahan, ang daming nagka-anxiety, ang daming nagkasakit. So, sinabi ko sa kanila na it is best kung ako na lang ‘yung haharap sa budget hearing ng Office of the Vice President,” she said.
This is not the first time the vice president has appeared solo. In November last year, she also attended the budget hearing alone, where tensions arose over her refusal to answer several questions, particularly those concerning her office’s confidential funds.
During Tuesday’s hearing, Duterte was asked whether she would waive the longstanding tradition that exempts the budgets of the President and Vice President from scrutiny in Congress. She agreed to forgo this privilege and proceeded to answer questions.
“Pero kanina tinanong ako kung i-waive ko ba ‘yung tradition na ‘yun, the privilege. Sinabi ko na i-waive ko ‘yung privilege na wala nang tanong sa budget ng Office of the Vice President,” Duterte said.
She acknowledged that her office anticipated inquiries about the controversial confidential funds. Kabataan Party-list Representative Renee Co raised the question, but Duterte declined to provide details, citing legal advice from her defense team.
“Madami kaming mga in-expect na tanong pero dalawa lang ‘yung nilabas nila—‘yung tanong sa confidential funds na sinabi ng defense lawyers na huwag sagutin kasi meron silang defense strategy na hindi dapat malaman,” she explained.
Duterte also managed to lighten the vibe of the deliberation when she asked Co if she and Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co are related.
Duterte also clarified that no public funds were used for her personal or official overseas travels. She emphasized that all security arrangements are managed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the personnel who accompany her on official functions come from the OVP.
When asked about the more respectful treatment she received this year compared to last year’s tense hearing, Duterte refrained from commenting.
“Hindi ko alam, you have to ask the House of Representatives kung anong iniisip nila,” she said.
