Leaders of the House’s Young Guns faction believe Vice President Sara Duterte is avoiding responsibility for the spending of P612.5 million in confidential funds. They pointed to her absence from a hearing by the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability as an attempt to escape accountability.
Deputy Majority Leader Paolo Ortega of La Union and Assistant Majority Leader Jay Khonghun of Zambales made the statement after Duterte announced in a media interview that she would not attend the hearing scheduled for November 20.
The committee, led by Manila Rep. Joel Chua, is investigating alleged irregularities in the use of the P612.5 million confidential fund by the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education in 2022 and 2023.
Duterte’s refusal to attend the hearing came despite her having personally received the invitation just days earlier while attending a House Quad Committee hearing, which was also joined by her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Ortega criticized Duterte’s refusal to attend, suggesting it was a deliberate move to avoid questions.
“Ayaw pa ring sumipot sa aming inquiry, kasi ayaw matanong, takot matanong. Ang kanyang pagtanggi ay bahagi ng kanyang strategy para iwasan ang responsibilidad at accountability para sa ‘di wastong paggamit ng pera ng taong bayan,” (She doesn’t want to face our inquiry because she is afraid of being questioned. Her refusal is part of her strategy to evade responsibility and accountability for the improper use of public funds) Ortega said.
Ortega also reminded the Vice President that, during her first appearance before the Good Government Committee, she had sworn to tell the truth and nothing but the truth.
Khonghun expressed concern that Duterte is avoiding the House hearing because she cannot explain how the substantial confidential funds were spent. Among the fund’s expenditures being investigated is the P125 million spent by the Vice President in just 11 days in December 2022.
Ortega also pointed out that part of the P125 million was used to purchase medicines and supplies, which, according to regulations, are not allowed to be covered by confidential or intelligence funds.
The Commission on Audit (COA) questioned the use of P73 million from the P125 million and has instructed VP Duterte and other responsible officials to return the amount to the government.