President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte lead the Basic Education Report 2024 at the Sofitel Hotel in Pasay City on January 25, 2024. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File 

Uniteam

Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Vivienne Gulla

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1726641680243171395742499720240125-bbm-sara-duterte-educ-report-JC-12.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left"><span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(51, 51, 51);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:pre-wrap;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none">President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte lead the Basic Education Report 2024 at the Sofitel Hotel in Pasay City on January 25, 2024.<em> Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File </em></span><em> </em></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align:left"> </div><div><br/></div><p>MANILA — Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday said she would &quot;never again&quot; team up with the Marcoses following their falling out.</p><p>In an ambush interview at the House of Representatives, Duterte was asked if she would ever consider joining forces with the Marcoses in future elections.</p><p>&quot;Never again,&quot; she said.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/6/20/-nabasag-yung-uniteam-duterte-resignation-saddens-lawmaker-1900">• &#x27;Nabasag &#x27;yung UniTeam&#x27;: Duterte resignation saddens lawmaker</a></div><p>Asked to elaborate, the Vice President merely laughed and said, &quot;Mag-sit down tayo.&quot;</p><p>(Let&#x27;s discuss it in a sit-down interview.)</p><p>She also thumbed down a possible mending of ties with<span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none"> between President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., adding they were not friends to begin with.</span></p><div><span id="isPasted"><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/6/25/vp-duterte-says-she-s-still-friends-with-marcos-following-cabinet-exit-1548">• VP Duterte says she&#x27;s still &#x27;friends&#x27; with Marcos following Cabinet exit</a></span></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“Hindi kami magkaibigan unang-una. Nagkakilala lang kami dahil mag-running mate kami.  So, bago pa man kami naging running mate, hindi na kami nag-uusap.  Nagkausap lang kami during campaign at saka sa trabaho noon,” the Vice President said.</span><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"></span><br/><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"></span><br/><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“Ang kaibigan ko talaga si Senator Imee Marcos, kilala niya ako since 2012,” she added.</span><br/><br/>Duterte left the Marcos Cabinet in June after months of political tension between him and his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte. <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/01/29/24/row-erupts-between-duterte-marcos-jr"></a><br/><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/01/29/24/row-erupts-between-duterte-marcos-jr"></a><br/><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/01/29/24/row-erupts-between-duterte-marcos-jr">• Row erupts between Duterte, Marcos Jr.</a><br/><br/>While not directly implicating Marcos, Duterte has accused his allies in the House of mounting a &quot;political attack&quot; meant to derail her possible 2028 presidential bid.</p><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tvOhkhmumc0?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><strong>HOUSE INQUIRY </strong></span><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">The House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability launched on Wednesday an inquiry into Vice President Sara Duterte’s utilization of public funds, including her office’s P125 million confidential expenses in 2022.</span><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"></span><br/><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"></span><br/><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">This stemmed from the privilege speech of Manila City Second District Rep. Rolando Valeriano, who criticized Duterte’s “unwillingness” to respond to several lawmakers’ questions about her office’s fund utilization before the House Committee on Appropriations. The lawmaker also challenged the VP to show proof of beneficiaries in its socio-economic programs.</span><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"></span><br/><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"></span><br/><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“She expected us to take at face value the figures in her presentation, when there is much reason for us here in Congress to doubt the veracity of the figures in the presentation. We have not seen any paper trail or electronic trail that would serve as evidence of beneficiaries and partnership agreements,” Valeriano said. </span><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"></span><br/><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"></span><br/><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“Her claim of leaving it to the House to do what it thinks is right is just a palusot, a smokescreen, a cover, because she does not want to provide proof for the numbers she stated in her PowerPoint presentation,” he added. </span><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"></span><br/><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"></span><br/><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Duterte refused to be placed under oath, saying that the letter sent by the panel to her office stated that she would serve as a resource person. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt"><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">&quot;When you sent a letter to the Office of the Vice President, you attached a copy of the rules in aid of legislation. Nakalagay po doon na witnesses lang ang ino-oath,&quot; she added.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt"><span style="color:#0f1419;background-color:#ffffff;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Committee chairperson Rep. Joel Chua replied, &quot;Lahat po considered as resource persons and witness.&quot; </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt"><span style="color:#0f1419;background-color:#ffffff;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">But Duterte&#x27;s ally, former president and Pampanga Second District Rep. Gloria Arroyo, said that resource persons and witnesses are &quot;not the same&quot; under a Supreme Court ruling. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt"><span style="color:#0f1419;background-color:#ffffff;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">&quot;We cannot just trivialize… pareho na rin ‘yun witness, resource person,&quot; she said. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt"><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">&quot;Somebody who appears to be the accused has a different tier of protection from a witness, and can in fact refuse to take the witness stand.&quot; </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><strong>“WELL-FUNDED” POLITICAL ATTACK?</strong></span></div><div><br/><br/><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">The Vice President denied there was misuse of public funds in the OVP. She said that if there were audit findings or legitimate cases, she would “gladly” respond to them before the Commission on Audit or the courts.</span><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"></span><br/><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"></span><br/><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“We have not done anything wrong. There is no misuse of funds,” Duterte said.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt"><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">She also claimed that the proceedings were &quot;no ordinary legislative inquiry&quot;, but &quot;</span> <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/9/18/vp-duterte-moves-to-terminate-house-probe-into-fund-use-this-is-a-political-attack-1150"></a><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/9/18/vp-duterte-moves-to-terminate-house-probe-into-fund-use-this-is-a-political-attack-1150">a well-funded and coordinated political attack</a></span><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">.&quot;</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt"><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">&quot;This much is evident from the very words of the privilege speech that prompted this inquiry. A speech that simply meant to say do not vote for Sara on 2028,&quot; she said.</span><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"></span><br/><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"></span><br/><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“Sa totoo lang, hindi naman ang budget ang puntirya ninyo, dahil napakadali naman magtanggal ng budget. What you are trying to do is make a case for impeachment. I will not allow myself to be subjected to an inquiry based on an empty privilege speech just so you can attack me and do indirectly what you failed to do directly during the budget hearings,” Duterte added.</span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Duterte then requested the committee to terminate the inquiry for its alleged lack of “any proposed legislation or substantive matter for discussion”. But panel chairperson Rep. Joel Chua said that the committee had taken cognizance of the privilege speech and would proceed.</span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Minutes later, the Vice President requested to leave the hearing, ahead of its termination. Chua agreed to excuse Duterte. </span></div><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/9/18/sara-duterte-exits-house-panel-probe-early-avoids-clash-with-lawmakers-1337" id="isPasted">• Sara Duterte exits House panel probe early, avoids clash with lawmakers</a> </div><div><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><strong>DISAPPOINTMENT</strong></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"></span><br/></div><div><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Some lawmakers later expressed disappointment over Duterte’s refusal to testify under oath. </span><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"></span><br/><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"></span><br/><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">House Assistant Majority Leader and Zambales First District Rep. Jefferson Khonghun said the inquiry was not meant “to attack anyone, but to shed light on matters that affect our nation&#x27;s governance.”</span><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"></span><br/><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"></span><br/><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“Refusing to testify under oath sends a signal that there is something to avoid,” he said. “If there is nothing to conceal, why not take the oath? It is the basic act of accountability that all public officials must be willing to undertake.” </span><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"></span><br/><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"></span><br/><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“The refusal of Vice when the resource speaker does not take her oath, then it follows that whatever statement she will provide, we call it, it could not hold any water. That being not under oath, the same cannot be used as an evidence in any inquiry, in any proceeding,” added Batangas Second District Rep. Gerville Luistro.  </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO: </strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XrpXgcgd3yk?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Asked to elaborate, the Vice President merely laughed and said "mag-sit down tayo."</p>

Asked to elaborate, the Vice President merely laughed and said "mag-sit down tayo."

Sara Duterte says 'never again' teaming up with Marcoses | ABS-CBN

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Sara Duterte says 'never again' teaming up with Marcoses

Sara Duterte says 'never again' teaming up with Marcoses

Jauhn Etienne Villaruel,

Vivienne Gulla,

ABS-CBN News

Published Sep 18, 2024 02:52 PM PHT

|

Updated Sep 18, 2024 06:17 PM PHT

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