'Questions not germane': Why VP Duterte had same answer during budget hearing
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'Questions not germane': Why VP Duterte had same answer during budget hearing
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Why did Vice President Sara Duterte give the same answer to some of the questions asked during Tuesday's hearing on the Office of the Vice-President's proposed 2025 budget?
Why did Vice President Sara Duterte give the same answer to some of the questions asked during Tuesday's hearing on the Office of the Vice-President's proposed 2025 budget?
Duterte spokesman Michael Poa said the Vice President came prepared for the budget hearing, complete with PowerPoint presentations on how the OVP plans to use its proposed P2.037 billion budget next year.
Duterte spokesman Michael Poa said the Vice President came prepared for the budget hearing, complete with PowerPoint presentations on how the OVP plans to use its proposed P2.037 billion budget next year.
Instead, Duterte was asked questions about the use of her confidential funds in previous years despite having no confidential fund appropriations for this year and no request for the same in 2025.
Instead, Duterte was asked questions about the use of her confidential funds in previous years despite having no confidential fund appropriations for this year and no request for the same in 2025.
"Nabanggit naman ng ating VP na gusto niyang I-defer na sa wisdom ng Kongreso ang approval o disapproval ng kanyang budget proposal dahil gusto niya ang mga tanong sana ay germane doon sa budget mismo for 2025," he said in a TeleRadyo Serbisyo interview.
"Nabanggit naman ng ating VP na gusto niyang I-defer na sa wisdom ng Kongreso ang approval o disapproval ng kanyang budget proposal dahil gusto niya ang mga tanong sana ay germane doon sa budget mismo for 2025," he said in a TeleRadyo Serbisyo interview.
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"Nakita niyo naman na karamihan nung mga tanong is really on the confidential funds na wala naman tayo, unang-una, walang budget niyan ngayong 2024 at walang proposal for 2025. Sa pananaw niya, hindi na po germane o hindi na related directly sa 2025 budget.
"Nakita niyo naman na karamihan nung mga tanong is really on the confidential funds na wala naman tayo, unang-una, walang budget niyan ngayong 2024 at walang proposal for 2025. Sa pananaw niya, hindi na po germane o hindi na related directly sa 2025 budget.
He said that while lawmakers can ask about the use of the funds in previous years, this is usually done if the office is asking for the same fund. "Para naman malaman natin kung paano nagastos utilization-wise, para makita kung dapat ibigay ulit. Whereas pagdating sa confidential funds 2024 wala naman na confidential funds. 2025 wala rin proposal."
He said that while lawmakers can ask about the use of the funds in previous years, this is usually done if the office is asking for the same fund. "Para naman malaman natin kung paano nagastos utilization-wise, para makita kung dapat ibigay ulit. Whereas pagdating sa confidential funds 2024 wala naman na confidential funds. 2025 wala rin proposal."
Poa noted the issue of confidential funds is also the subject of 3 pending cases before the Supreme Court, and is under sub judice.
Poa noted the issue of confidential funds is also the subject of 3 pending cases before the Supreme Court, and is under sub judice.
He also questioned why a Commission on Audit notice of disallowance on the OVP's disbursement of P73 million in confidential funds in December 2022 was disbursed to the public even though it was not yet final.
He also questioned why a Commission on Audit notice of disallowance on the OVP's disbursement of P73 million in confidential funds in December 2022 was disbursed to the public even though it was not yet final.
He said that during the normal audit process, COA issues an audit observation memorandum asking the agency to clarify certain items on the disbursements.
He said that during the normal audit process, COA issues an audit observation memorandum asking the agency to clarify certain items on the disbursements.
The agency can also appeal the notice of disallowance before COA or even bring the matter to the Supreme Court.
The agency can also appeal the notice of disallowance before COA or even bring the matter to the Supreme Court.
The next hearing on the OVP budget is on September 10.
The next hearing on the OVP budget is on September 10.
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