'Trabaho lang': Lawmaker says scrutiny of OVP budget part of their duties

Vice President Sara Duterte attends a hearing for the Office of the Vice President's 2025 budget at the House of Representatives on August 27, 2024.  Photo courtesy of the House of Representatives/File

MANILA -- House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability Chair Congressman Joel Chua clarified that scrutinizing the budget of the Office of the Vice President during the ongoing budget hearing in the House of Representatives is just part of the lawmakers' duties.

According to Chua, this is a regular responsibility of the House.

"Pumunta sa committee ko e, bumagsak sa committee ko. Wala naman tayo choice except to act on it dahil kung hindi ko naman inaksyunan, ako naman po ang mananagot bilang chairman na inuupuan ko ang mga bumabagsak sa aking committee. Tayo naman trabaho lang," he said.

(It came to my committee, and I have no choice but to act on it because if I don't, I would be held accountable as chairman for not addressing the matters referred to my committee. We are simply doing our job.)

In an ambush interview, Vice President Sara Duterte said that the ongoing budget hearing appeared to be preparation for her possible impeachment.

"Hihintayin natin ang articles of impeachment at doon tayo magbabase kung ano ang isasagot natin dahil hindi natin alam kung ano ang final na isusulat nila. Nagte-testing sila ngayon kung ano ang gagawin nila," said Duterte.

(We'll wait for the articles of impeachment, and that's when we'll base our response since we don't know what they'll finally write. Right now, they're testing the waters.)

She added, "Kasi nagsabi na siya kanina, determination of malfeasance, nonfeasance, misfeasance, so ibig sabihin, mayroong ginawang mali. Nagpa-practice sila kung ano ang kakagat sa impeachment."

(They've already mentioned malfeasance, nonfeasance, and misfeasance, which means there's an accusation of wrongdoing. It seems they are practicing for the impeachment.)

However, Chua emphasized that he had no knowledge of any impending impeachment against the Vice President.

"With respect sa impeachment, wala naman po akong alam pa doon, so hind ko po alam, wala po akong idea sa impeachment, basta tayo ginagawa lang po natin ang trabaho," Chua said.

(As for the impeachment, I have no knowledge of it, so I don't know. I have no idea about the impeachment; we're simply doing our job.)

READ: Duterte ally, lawmakers clash at House inquiry into OVP’s budget utilization

DUTERTE REFUSES TO TAKE OATH, LAWMAKERS REACT

"Such refusal can damage the public's perception of integrity in public office. The Filipino people deserve honesty and openness from their leaders, especially when their actions are being scrutinized. The House inquiry is in aid of legislation to serve the public interest," he said.

"Transparency should never be optional for public officials. We all owe it to the Filipino people to tell the truth under oath if it is necessary," Acop added.

READ: Sara Duterte exits House panel probe early, avoids clash with lawmakers

In a separate manifestation, Chua reiterated that all invited witnesses and resource persons are required to take their oath.

He also explained that Duterte was allowed to deliver a brief statement out of respect for her position.

"Ito po ay nakalagay po sa ating rules o procedure at governing po ng inquiries in aid of legislation. At para malaman po natin ang mga testimonya at information na kanila pong binibigay po sa atin ay totoo at maasahan po ng committee at ng august body. Kanina po pinayagan po natin ng ating kagalanggalang na vice president na hindi po mag-take ng oath at hindi po natin siya pinilit dahil sa halip hinayaan din po natin siya at pinayagan din po natin siya na mag-manifest o magbigay po ng maiksing pananalita," he said.

(This is stated in our rules of procedure governing inquiries in aid of legislation. It ensures that the testimonies and information provided are truthful and reliable for the committee and the august body. Earlier, we allowed our honorable Vice President not to take an oath, and we did not force her. Instead, we allowed her to make a brief statement.)

"Pero hindi po ibig sabihin na ito pong insidente dahil hinayaan po natin kanina ay magiging precedent na sa mga susunod na committee hearing. Hindi po mangyayari yan at lahat po ng witnesses at lahat po ng resource person na magte-testify o hihingan po natin ng paliwanag dito sa ating committee hearing," Chua added.

(However, this does not mean that today's incident will set a precedent for future committee hearings. It will not. All witnesses and resource persons will be required to provide testimony or explanations in our committee hearings.)

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