Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 15) — The influence of the Dutertes in Congress is waning, according to a party-list lawmaker.
\”Siguro na-realize din ng kaniyang mga kapartido na hindi na siya presidente, at wala na siyang influence rin,\” ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro told CNN Philippines’ The Final Word on Wednesday.
[Translation: Maybe his party members have realized he’s no longer president, and that he no longer wields influence.]
From 65 at the start of the 19th Congress in 2022, former President Rodrigo Duterte’s Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) now has just 15 members in the House of Representatives.
Castro said this was mainly because of the controversy surrounding the confidential and intelligence funds (CIFs) of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) – both headed by the former leader’s daughter, Sara Duterte.
READ: Dong Gonzales resigns from PDP-Laban over ex-Pres. Duterte’s ‘rotten’ remark vs. House
Castro also said scrutinizing the CIFs of the OVP and DepEd prompted the elder Duterte to come out and attack her.
\”I think he was very hurt doon sa pagtatatanggal [by the removal], or the realignment of the CIFs of the OVP and DepEd,\” she said.
\”Itong mga Duterte na ‘to mukhang sanay sila sa discretionary funds through confidential funds kaya talagang galit na galit,\” she added.
[Translation: It appears the Dutertes are used to having discretionary funds through confidential funds, so they are really angry.]
In 2022, the Commission on Audit found out that the former president used ₱4.5 billion for confidential and intelligence funds during his last year in office.
On Wednesday, Quezon City Senior Assistant City Prosecutor Ulric Badiola issued a subpoena ordering Duterte to appear before the Office of the City Prosecutor on Dec. 4 and 11.
