VP Sara Duterte issues statement regarding OVP confidential funds and impeachment cases | GMA News

Summary

In this political discussion, the speaker, likely a government official, defends the office of the Vice President against impeachment charges and political attacks. They emphasize the legal validity of actions taken, including the handling of confidential funds, which were approved by both the Office of the President and Congress. The speaker accuses political rivals of singling out the Vice President’s office for scrutiny, while similar government offices are overlooked. The discussion also touches on the strategic timing of these attacks, hinting at political maneuvering ahead of the 2028 presidential election.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker feels confident about the legal aspects of impeachment but uncertain about its political outcome, acknowledging that politics can be unpredictable.
• 😀 Impeachment is presented as both a legal and political process, with the speaker emphasizing that legal opinions have stated it may not constitute an impeachable offense.
• 😀 The speaker refers to an 'inventory of possible cases' and mentions the involvement of multiple lawyers, each handling specific cases, to ensure focused attention on each one.
• 😀 The speaker mentions that there are two impeachment cases filed with the House of Representatives, and other cases are being prepared but not yet filed.
• 😀 The speaker defends their refusal to answer questions about confidential funds, citing national security concerns and the importance of protecting intelligence operations.
• 😀 The speaker highlights that the Department of Education (DepEd) has been cleared by the Commission on Audit (COA) for two quarters, despite ongoing questioning by the House of Representatives.
• 😀 There is a strong critique of how the House of Representatives is singling out the office of the Vice President (OVP) for confidential fund scrutiny, with the speaker pointing out the lack of investigation into other offices with significant confidential funds.
• 😀 The speaker accuses the political opposition of conducting a targeted political attack against the office of the Vice President, emphasizing that this is a form of disrespect to the office itself.
• 😀 The speaker is firm in refusing to provide explanations regarding intelligence operations related to confidential funds, fearing that doing so could compromise national security.
• 😀 The speaker justifies the allocation of confidential funds, stating that it was approved by the Office of the President, the Department of Budget and Management, and Congress, and that it follows the established system for such funds.

Q & A

What is the Vice President's stance on the impeachment process?

The Vice President is confident about the legal aspects of the impeachment process. Their legal team has reviewed the case and found no impeachable offense or actionable misconduct. However, they acknowledge that political factors are unpredictable and could influence the outcome.

Why is the Vice President not answering certain questions during the House hearings?

The Vice President refuses to answer questions regarding confidential funds because they pertain to national security and involve sensitive intelligence operations. The Vice President also asserts that the House lacks the authority to probe into such confidential matters.

How does the Vice President justify the use of confidential funds?

The Vice President argues that the use of confidential funds is essential for national security and is fully authorized. The funds were approved by the Office of the President, the Department of Budget and Management, and Congress. They also emphasize full cooperation with the Commission on Audit, which cleared some funds.

What is the Vice President's response to accusations of evasiveness?

The Vice President rejects the accusation of evasiveness, asserting that they are not avoiding questions but are instead following legal and procedural protocols. They emphasize that only the Commission on Audit has the jurisdiction to scrutinize the use of confidential funds.

Why does the Vice President believe the investigation into confidential funds is politically motivated?

The Vice President views the investigation as a political attack, pointing out that only their office is being targeted, while other offices with confidential funds are not being investigated. This, according to the Vice President, shows that the scrutiny is selective and intended to undermine their office.

What is the Vice President's position on the political nature of the impeachment proceedings?

The Vice President acknowledges that impeachment is both a legal and a political process. While they are confident in the legal standing of the impeachment case, they recognize that political dynamics, including personal biases and partisan interests, play a significant role in the process.

How does the Vice President explain the approval process for confidential funds?

The Vice President explains that the confidential funds were approved by the Office of the President, the Department of Budget and Management, and Congress. The funds were part of the National Expenditure Program and were included in the General Appropriations Act, making them legitimate and duly authorized.

What does the Vice President mean by 'respect for the office' in the context of the investigation?

The Vice President stresses that while they respect the House's right to investigate, they believe the office of the Vice President deserves to be treated with respect. They argue that a targeted investigation of their office, rather than a broader review of all offices with confidential funds, disrespects the institution of the Vice Presidency.

What is the Vice President's response to the allegation that their office lacks jurisdiction over confidential funds?

The Vice President clarifies that their office does have jurisdiction over confidential funds, as these funds were duly approved by the Office of the President, Congress, and the Department of Budget and Management. They argue that the funds were properly allocated and spent for national security purposes.

How does the Vice President view the potential political implications of the ongoing scrutiny?

The Vice President believes that the attacks against their office are part of a broader political strategy, likely tied to the 2028 presidential election. They see the scrutiny as an effort to weaken their position and credibility as they prepare for future political battles.