1-Rider Party-list Rep. Rodge Gutierrez on Tuesday agreed that Vice President Sara Duterte’s refusal to attend the plenary deliberations on the proposed 2025 budget for the Office of the Vice President (OVP) could be seen as a betrayal of public trust.
While betrayal of public trust is a recognized ground for impeachment, Gutierrez clarified that the House of Representatives is not currently considering any impeachment proceedings against the Vice President.
Speaking during Tuesday’s press conference at the House, Gutierrez explained the concept of public trust, citing the responsibility that comes with holding a high office, especially when it involves defending the budget before Congress.
“‘Yung konsepto po natin sa pagboto, dito po nanggagaling ‘yung concept of public trust. Kapag tayo po ay bumoboto, we, as the public repose our trust and confidence that the official will uphold his or her constitutionally mandated duties,” Gutierrez explained.
He continued: “So when an official who is supposed to appear before the House and defend his or her budget fails to do so, to an extent, betrayal of public trust ‘yan. That is true. It is the betrayal of the duty, the constitutional duty for his or her part in the budget process.”
Gutierrez supported Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel, who had earlier manifested in plenary that Duterte’s absence was a “clear betrayal of public trust,” as all elected officials are accountable to the public and must address concerns of public interest.
Deputy Speaker and Quezon 2nd District Rep. David “Jay-jay” Suarez also expressed his disappointment over Duterte’s absence, as he stressed the importance of the budget process and the Vice President’s duty to attend.
“Personally, I’m disappointed. I would have expected more. This is such an important part of the budgetary process,” Suarez said.
He noted that other department secretaries have waited over 10 hours to present their budgets, and no one is excused from this responsibility.
Suarez acknowledged the frustration of his fellow lawmakers, particularly Manuel, who has been vocal about concerns regarding the OVP’s fund management.
Gutierrez emphasized that while Duterte’s absence is concerning, it does not automatically warrant an impeachment.
“But just to be purely technical, it is, in a way, a betrayal of public trust. Whether it would amount to impeachment, that’s far from the case. Impeachment is not something we are discussing in the House,” Gutierrez clarified.
Assistant Majority Leader and Zambales 1st District Rep. Jay Khonghun also downplayed any impeachment talk, saying that it is not on the agenda in the House.
“Well, hindi naman kasi napag-uusapan dito sa House ‘yung pag-impeach sa Vice President. Katulad nga ng sinasabi ni Cong Jay-jay kanina, we respect the [OVP] and we are giving much leeway sa ating Vice President para i-defend ang kanyang budget,” said Khonghun.
He emphasized that the majority remains focused on passing the 2025 national budget on time, including the OVP budget.
“Ang importante sa amin ngayon is maipasa on-time ‘yung budget, including the budget of the [OVP], at maipakita sa tao na ang Kongreso ay patuloy na nagtatrabaho para makatulong sa buhay ng ating mamamayan,” he said.
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