PRESS CONFERENCE (NOVEMBER 18, 2024)

Summary

The transcript captures a heated discussion involving the handling of the Office of the Vice President's budget, including issues around employee utilization and job losses. A reward is offered for information on suspicious signatories tied to a controversy, with specific focus on an individual, Mary Grace Piatos, whose existence is questioned. The dialogue also touches on relief efforts after a natural disaster, the government's response to inquiries, and ongoing investigations. There is also a focus on political performances and accountability, particularly in relation to former President Duterte's statements about extrajudicial killings and human rights violations.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Office of the Vice President's budget is under scrutiny due to the low utilization rate of previous funds, leading to concerns about employee layoffs.
• 😀 The Senate is not being appealed to regarding the budget, as the House has already submitted its version, and it's up to the Senate to review it.
• 😀 There is an ongoing issue with underutilized funds, which has contributed to employment problems in the Office of the Vice President.
• 😀 A reward is being offered for information leading to the identification of suspicious signatories involved in potentially fraudulent activities.
• 😀 The name 'Mary Grace Piatos' is central to an investigation, with doubts about her authenticity being raised, and a reward for her identification.
• 😀 There is skepticism about the legitimacy of various names and receipts connected to fraudulent activities in the Vice President's office.
• 😀 Members of the Quadcast and Blue Ribbon committees are collaborating to uncover the truth regarding the misuse of confidential funds.
• 😀 Some public officials have been inconsistent in their answers regarding financial disclosures, particularly concerning joint bank accounts.
• 😀 The upcoming hearings are being rescheduled due to the impact of recent typhoons, with efforts to accommodate affected members of Congress.
• 😀 Despite ongoing investigations and challenges, the Congress is continuing its humanitarian work, including the distribution of relief goods and financial assistance to disaster-stricken areas.

Q & A

Why is there a debate over the employment situation related to the Vice President's office budget?

The debate stems from concerns that the employment numbers in the Vice President’s office were not justified by the budget. Due to underutilization of funds in the past year, the question arises about the need to maintain or cut employment, as the budget for these roles wasn't fully used.

How does the speaker explain the issue of unutilized funds?

The speaker explains that unutilized funds, particularly for programs under the Vice President’s office, reflect poor program execution. Since the allocated funds were not fully used, it raises the question of whether these programs and the associated employment are necessary or effective.

What is the role of the Senate in the budget approval process, according to the speaker?

The speaker states that while they do not plan to appeal to the Senate, it is the Senate’s right to review and scrutinize the budget. The Senate has the authority to approve or revise the budget proposed by the House, including the Office of the Vice President’s budget.

Why does the speaker suggest that the Vice President should have justified her budget earlier?

The speaker suggests that the Vice President should have attended the hearings and provided justification for her budget. By failing to do so, it leads to the problem of job cuts, as a lack of proper justification raises doubts about the necessity of the budget and its effective use.

What is the significance of the reward offered in the discussion?

A reward is being offered for information regarding suspicious signatories, specifically concerning the case of 'Mary Grace Piatos.' This is part of an investigation into the authenticity of the signatories, and the reward is meant to incentivize those who can provide useful information.

Why is the focus on 'Mary Grace Piatos' in the investigation?

The focus is on Mary Grace Piatos because she is believed to be involved in a significant issue related to falsified documents. The speaker insists that finding the truth about her identity and the authenticity of the records is crucial to resolving the case.

What is the speaker’s perspective on the validity of certain acknowledgment receipts?

The speaker points out that many acknowledgment receipts appear to be fabricated or suspicious, comparing them to lists found in convenience stores with nonsensical or fictional names. This undermines their credibility and raises concerns about fraudulent activity.

How does the speaker handle questions about the participation of Quad members in the investigation?

The speaker clarifies that Quad members are involved in the investigation because many of them are also members of the Blue Ribbon Committee. This shared involvement allows them to collaborate on resolving the issues related to the Vice President’s office and the Department of Education.

What is the connection between the Quad Committee and Blue Ribbon in terms of their investigation?

The Quad Committee and the Blue Ribbon Committee work closely together on the investigation into the misuse of funds by the Vice President’s office and the Department of Education. The collaboration between these two committees aims to ensure a thorough investigation and accountability.

How does the speaker address the ongoing concerns about relief efforts amidst the political issues?

Despite the ongoing investigations, the speaker emphasizes that the House continues its work to aid those affected by natural disasters. Relief efforts, including the distribution of goods and financial assistance, are being prioritized, and the House remains committed to supporting the affected communities.