A party-list lawmaker criticized Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday for her conduct during a congressional budget hearing, where she requested that a different lawmaker preside over the proceedings.
Rep. France Castro of the ACT Teachers party-list expressed her frustration over Tuesday’s hearing on the proposed P2.037-billion budget for the Office of the Vice President (OVP), stating that the session was unproductive after Duterte declined to answer questions regarding the OVP’s use of confidential funds.
“Nakita natin ‘yung tunay na ugali ng ating VP. Feeling niya underdog siya,” Castro said on TeleRadyo Serbisyo.
Castro claimed that Duterte adhered strictly to a prepared script when questioned about her budget, avoiding the House committee’s inquiries.
“Parang ayaw niya ng accountability, transparency. Pinigilan niya ang taumbayan ng right to information,” she added.
Castro also expressed surprise when Duterte asked for the chairperson of the Finance Committee to preside over the hearing instead of Rep. Stella Quimbo, the Senior Vice Chairperson of the House Committee on Appropriations.
“Ngayon lang kami nakakita na isang resource person na magdidikta sa committee,” Castro noted.
The lawmaker further stated that if it were up to her, she would cut half of the OVP’s proposed budget, arguing that many of its programs fall outside the Vice President’s mandate.
“Hindi trabaho ng VP ang pagpapalimbag ng libro niya. ‘Yung ginagastos niya sa ayuda, andyan DSWD, DOH, DTI, TESDA sa livelihood. Tatanggalin ko ‘yun kasi wala naman sa mandate niya,” Castro argued.
During the hearing, Duterte criticized Castro for questioning the OVP’s use of P125 million (approximately US$2.2 million) in confidential funds over a span of just 11 days.
Duterte also questioned why Castro, who was convicted of child abuse by a regional trial court in Tagum City for transporting 14 Lumad minors in Davao del Norte, remains a member of the House of Representatives.
Several congressmen criticized Duterte for what they perceived as a “lack of respect” for transparency and the checks and balances concerning her office’s budget.
In her defense, Duterte claimed she had received information suggesting that the congressmen would follow a script aimed at scrutinizing her over the OVP’s use of confidential funds.
The next hearing on the OVP’s budget is scheduled for September 10.