Disinterested Duterte may opt to ‘step down’ from office - lawmakers

Metro Manila, Philippines – Frustrated lawmakers stood up by Vice President Sara Duterte in the budget hearings said on Tuesday, Sept. 24, she might as well opt to resign if she is no longer interested in the position.

Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Jil Bongalon, appropriations committee vice chairperson, said Duterte appeared only once when she presented the Office of the Vice President (OVP) budget. She skipped the next and the plenary session.

The original proposal for 2025 was ₱2.04 billion. The appropriations committee substantially reduced it to ₱733.2 million.

https://www.newswatchplus.ph/news/2024/9/12/House-panel-cuts-proposed-OVP-budget.html

It referred the amount to the plenary for discussion on Sept. 23, but neither Duterte nor her authorized representatives attended.

“Ano ibig sabihin nito? ’Di na siya interesado at mas pinili niyang pumunta sa isang beach resort kaysa dumalo sa pagdinig dito sa kanyang budget?” Bongalon said in a press conference.

[Translation: What does this mean? Is she not interested and preferred to go to a beach resort instead of her budget hearing?]

“It’s clearly – clear sentiments being shared by a lot of members. Kasi alam mo trabaho ‘yan [You know it is a job], responsibility,” Quezon 2nd District Rep. Jay-Jay Suarez, meanwhile, said.

Photos of Duterte at a beach in Calaguas circulated online supposedly amid the scheduled OVP budget hearing, but her office denied this.

The OVP instead said that Duterte is “on the road” talking to the people about current events. Her stops included Camarines Norte and Albay.

Zambales 1st District Rep. Jefferson Khonghun and 1-Rider party-list Reo. Rodge Gutierrez noted that the OVP was the only agency without an authorized person during the budget discussion.

“First time nangyari ito na walang representative, wala ‘yung department head na hindi sila um-attend sa budget hearing ng kanilang departamento,” said Khonghun.

[Translation: This was the first time that there was no representative, the department head was absent. They did not attend the budget hearing of their department.]

“This is the first time lang po siguro and hopefully, the last – this would be the first time that an official has failed to reach the bare minimum of decency to at least appear or at least send a representative,” Gutierrez said.

The OVP was asked for comment but has yet to issue a response.

House members were supposed to take up the OVP budget as early as 10 a.m. The OVP was a no-show until the plenary suspended session on Tuesday, Sept. 24, at 3 a.m.