Shekinah Jedidiah Alima

Vice President Sara Duterte sparked heated discussions and refused to cooperate on answering inquiry questions during The House Committee on Appropriations’ hearing for her proposed 2025 budget on August 27.

Photo Courtesy of Rappler/The Manila Times.

Duterte, who was invited by the house to defend her proposed P2.037 billion 2025 budget, stood firm on dodging questions necessary for the hearing committee to fulfill their roles.

“Magsasayang tayo ng oras dito,” Duterte stressed.

“This is an important part of the budget briefing…kasama po ito, ang pagtatanong at pakikinig sa sagot po ninyo ay napaimportanteng input po sa aming trabaho,” Marikina Rep. Stella Quimbo replied.

Duterte also asked her to cease presiding over the hearing, and asked for someone else to replace Quimbo, which is the first time in history.

“I request that the chairperson of the finance committee preside over this hearing," Duterte said.

Quimbo who serves as the senior vice chairperson of the finance committee pointed out that Duterte has no right under the law to do such a command.

"With all due respect, you have... you are not allowed to do that, madam vice president. You are not allowed to introduce a motion. You are a resource person," Quimbo replied.

ACT Teachers Party List Representative France Castro who questioned Duterte during the budget hearing highlighted that The Commission on Audit issued a Notice of Disallowance to P73 million out of P125 million 2022 confidential funds spent by the OVP.

Duterte responded by blasting Castro with bringing up personal issues.

“Ganoon talaga ang buhay ma’am… I do not understand bakit a person convicted of child abuse is still sitting in a seat,” Duterte responded.

In the hearing, Castro pointed out that Duterte’s behavior is similar to that of a squid.

“Hindi pwede na ‘yung tactics na ganyan… ‘Pag nasusukol na ang pusit ay naglalabas ng maitim na tinta,” she said.

 Ayaw natin ng ganoon Madam Chair. Ang pinag-uusapan dito ay budget. ‘Wag naman mag-ugaling pusit ang Office of the Vice President,” Castro added.

Duterte claimed that the questions regarding her past confidential funds were already resolved with the previous hearings, thus the refusal to answer the house’s inquiries.