Vice President Sara Duterte finally appeared before the House of Representatives’ inquiry on her office’s 2022 confidential funds.
Duterte’s appearance happened after five of her aides were already cited in contempt due to their non- attendance and alleged ‘undue interference’ to the inquiry proceedings of the Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability.
Contrary to her previous appearance in other committee hearings, the vice president finally took her oath before the secretariat of the house panel.
Few minutes after her appearance, Duterte already criticized the committee for allegedly ganging up on them.
The hearing was suspended several times as Duterte engaged in a heated exchange of words with the chairperson and members of the committee.
Some members of the committee also raised point of orders against the vice president for butting in even if the panel chair has not yet recognized her.
Representatives Romeo Acop and Dan Fernandez reminded the vice president that she needs to follow their rules to pave the way to the smooth flow of the discussions.
Duterte reasoned out that they need to butt in as they do not have allies that could also raise point of orders in their favor.
Except for Representatives Dante Marcoleta and Drixie Mae Cardema, most of the house panel members are allied with the majority legislators who are critical of the vice president.
(Hrep photo)
Abner is an award-winning journalist. He received the prestigious 2015 Titus Brandsma Award for Community Communication in the Philippines and participated in the 2016 International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) of the United States of America, sponsored by the US Embassy in the Philippines. Founder of WATCH NORTH COTABATO, a media-citizens’ transparency group. He worked as a correspondent for the Philippine Daily Inquirer and CNN Philippines. His experience in broadcasting includes anchoring for Brigada News FM in Kidapawan and General Santos City and Brigada News TV. He anchors Tira Brigada via 105.1 Brigada News FM Manila, Mondays-Saturdays.