Vice President Sara Duterte was accused of violating rules and traditions when she refused to take an oath to tell the truth during a hearing of the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability.
The hearing was in relation to the alleged misuse of millions of pesos in funds by her office for socio-economic programs.
Committee Chairman Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua requested that all resource persons from the Office of the Vice President, the Department of Budget and Management, and the Commission on Audit be sworn in.
However, VP Sara defied the committee’s rules, arguing that only witnesses are required to take an oath, not resource persons like herself.
Chua maintained that it has been a tradition and practice in committee hearings to have both witnesses and resource persons sworn in.
Former President and Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal Arroyo supported VP Sara’s stance, citing a Supreme Court ruling and Senate precedent that provides protection to witnesses over resource persons.
Bukidnon Rep. Keith Flores clarified that none of the invited individuals in the hearing are currently considered accused parties.
In her statement, VP Sara claimed that the hearing is part of a premeditated attack against her.