Vice President Sara Duterte has once more opted not to attend the House panel’s inquiry into the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) budget utilization, including its use of confidential funds.
In a letter dated November 19 and addressed to House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability chairperson Joel Chua, Duterte explained her decision, citing her experience at a previous hearing on September 18.
“I was not asked a single question during the previous hearing,” Duterte noted in her letter. “In view of the foregoing, I would like to respectfully inform you that I will not be attending the hearing scheduled on November 20, 2024.”
The Vice President requested that her letter be integrated into the committee’s official records as her formal response.
Previous Engagement and Context
Duterte personally received the panel’s November 20 invitation during her attendance at a separate House investigation into drug war-related deaths under her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Despite repeated invitations, Duterte and other OVP officials have not participated in the budget probe. She recently defended her staff, stating they were engaged in preparations for the upcoming OVP anniversary in various satellite offices.
Calls for Inquiry Termination
Duterte has urged the committee to terminate the investigation, asserting that it lacks a clear legislative objective. She cited constitutional provisions requiring formal inquiries to be tied to specific legislative proposals.
“The inquiry must only be in relation to legislation and should ideally have a proposed bill to guide the discussions therein,” Duterte emphasized. She added that the panel’s invitation lacked a defined legislative goal.
Confidential Funds Under Scrutiny
The inquiry was prompted by findings from state auditors pointing to inconsistencies in the OVP’s acknowledgement receipts for confidential funds. While lawmakers have pressed for clarity, Duterte has firmly denied any misuse of public funds, calling the probe a politically motivated test case for impeachment.
Despite the Vice President’s absence, the House panel continues to examine how OVP resources were utilized, maintaining that transparency and accountability remain its key priorities.