Vice President Sara Duterte has accused the House of Representatives of conducting “scripted” budget hearings, a claim she said was among the reasons for her decision not to answer questions during the budget deliberations. The Vice President made these allegations in an interview recorded on September 4 and released on Wednesday.
Duterte said several House members were prepared to counter any answers the Office of the Vice President (OVP) would provide. “Alam na nila kung anong gagawin nila bago pa kami pumunta sa plenary… mayroon na silang nakahandang PowerPoint presentation, audiovisual presentation, at script na binabasa,” she claimed.
She further alleged that the focus of the House hearings was not on the OVP’s 2025 budget proposal but rather on confidential funds, which had already been a contentious issue. Last year, the House removed the OVP’s confidential funds after the Commission on Audit reported that the office spent P125 million in just 11 days.
Duterte also claimed that the House leadership and the Makabayan bloc had already agreed to strip the OVP’s confidential funds before the hearing started. “Makikita natin na… atakihin natin ito siya,” Duterte said, adding that the removal of the OVP’s confidential funds was predetermined.
House leaders, however, strongly denied these allegations. House Appropriations Chairperson Elizaldy Co said, “Hindi po totoo ‘yun. Siya po ang scripted. Siya po ang budol.” Co further criticized Duterte, accusing her of avoiding questions on the confidential funds. “Ayaw niya talaga sumagot sa confidential funds. Hindi niya kayang ipaliwanag,” he added.
House Majority Leader Manuel Jose “Mannix” Dalipe also refuted the claim of scripted proceedings, emphasizing that members of the committee have the right to scrutinize the budget. “Walang script diyan,” he said.
The House Appropriations Committee is expected to meet on Wednesday to decide whether to hold another budget hearing for the OVP.