VP Duterte during House hearing: “What you are trying to do is make a case for impeachment”

Summary

The Vice President, responding to allegations of misuse of funds, vehemently denies any wrongdoing and calls the inquiry a politically motivated attack aimed at discrediting them ahead of the 2028 elections. They assert their commitment to serve the public regardless of personal or political costs and request the termination of the inquiry due to its lack of substantive issues or proposed legislation.

Takeaways

• 📜 The speaker is responding to a letter from the chairman of the committee on good government and public accountability, requesting their presence at an inquiry.
• 👥 The speaker represents the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and all its officials, asserting their innocence and readiness to respond to any legitimate cases.
• 💼 There are no allegations of misuse of funds; the speaker is willing to address any audit findings through proper channels like the Commission on Audit.
• 🏛 The speaker perceives the inquiry as a politically motivated attack rather than a genuine legislative process, aimed at discrediting them for future political contests.
• 🗣️ The speaker has publicly stated their reasons for not defending the OVP budget proposal for 2025, citing past issues and experiences.
• 📊 The speaker references the National Expenditure Program (NEP), General Appropriations Act (GAA) for 2023 and 2024 to substantiate their stance on budgetary matters.
• 💵 The speaker mentions 'confidential funds' and past 'drama' as part of their reasoning for not engaging with the 2025 OVP budget process.
• 📈 The speaker leaves the 2025 OVP budget to Congressman Martin Rales, indicating no request for special treatment or upholding of traditions.
• 🚫 The speaker will not tolerate an inquiry based on an empty privilege speech and requests the termination of the inquiry due to the lack of any proposed legislation or substantive matter.
• 💪 Despite potential personal and political attacks, the speaker pledges to continue serving the Filipino people with resilience and dedication.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the letter dated September 13, 2024, from the chairman of the committee?

The letter is requesting the presence of the officials or their duly authorized representatives for the initial deliberation with preliminary determination on privilege speech number 379.

Why is the speaker appearing before the committee?

The speaker is appearing as the head of the office and the duly authorized representative of all officials, emphasizing that they have not done anything wrong and are ready to respond to any legitimate cases or audit findings.

What does the speaker claim about the ongoing inquiry?

The speaker claims that the inquiry is not about misuse of funds, accountability, or governance, but is a well-funded and coordinated political attack aimed at discrediting the speaker's name and office to prevent future political contests.

What is the speaker's stance on the 2025 OVP budget proposal?

The speaker has chosen not to defend the 2025 OVP budget proposal due to issues encountered in previous years and leaves the budget to the discretion of Congressman Martin Rales.

What does the speaker believe is the true intention behind the inquiry?

The speaker believes the true intention is to make a case for impeachment or to use the inquiry as a campaign platform to illegally criminalize the speaker.

How does the speaker respond to the potential for impeachment?

The speaker is defiant, stating that despite attempts to destroy their reputation, they will remain unbowed and continue to serve the Filipino people.

What is the speaker's request to the committee regarding the inquiry?

The speaker requests the committee to terminate the inquiry due to its lack of any proposed legislation or substantive matter for discussion.

What does the speaker imply about the budget hearings?

The speaker implies that during the budget hearings, there were attempts to discredit them indirectly, which they are now facing directly through the inquiry.

What does the term 'M fans, nans, and malfis' refer to according to the speaker?

The term 'M fans, nans, and malfis' is used by the speaker to describe cases that should be properly taken to the courts of law, suggesting that these are legal matters rather than political attacks.

What is the speaker's view on the necessity of the inquiry?

The speaker views the inquiry as unnecessary and based on an empty privilege speech, aimed at attacking them rather than addressing any substantive issues.