TWO House “Young Guns” leaders on Sunday criticized Vice President Sara Duterte for her plan to skip the Nov. 20 House Blue Ribbon Committee hearing and instead submit a sworn affidavit addressing allegations of her misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds in 2022 and 2023.
House Assistant Majority Leader Jay Khonghun of Zambales’ 1st District and Deputy Majority Leader Paolo Ortega V of La Union’s 1st District described Duterte’s move as a deliberate evasion of accountability.
“Walang masama sa affidavit. Pero ang problema ay ‘yung budol style niya—sinasabing hindi siya inimbitahan, pero ngayong may pagkakataon siyang linawin ang isyu, ayaw niyang humarap. Kung walang itinatago, bakit hindi kayang sagutin nang harapan ang tanong ng Kongreso at ng taumbayan?” Khonghun said.
Ortega echoed this sentiment, calling the affidavit submission a clear tactic to avoid scrutiny.
“Isang pambubudol na naman ito sa ngalan ng panawagang sumagot si VP Sara dahil gagamitin ang affidavit para makatakas at hindi na mag-appear sa hearing. Hindi ito sapat para linawin ang mga isyu ng confidential funds. Harapin niya ang mga tanong ng publiko at ng Kongreso,” Ortega said.
The House Blue Ribbon Committee, formally known as the Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, is investigating the alleged misuse of P500 million in confidential funds under the Office of the Vice President and P112.5 million under the Department of Education (DepEd), both under Duterte’s watch.
Duterte attended the first hearing on Sept. 18 but refused to take an oath as a resource person, declined to answer lawmakers’ questions, and left early after delivering a brief statement criticizing the probe.
She has since skipped subsequent hearings, citing constitutional concerns and questioning the investigation’s necessity.
During a recent House Quad Comm hearing, attended by her father, former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, the Vice President was personally handed an invitation to the Nov. 20 hearing of the Blue Ribbon Committee, which lawmakers have emphasized as a crucial opportunity to address the allegations.
Khonghun and Ortega stressed that submitting an affidavit instead of appearing in person undermines the principles of transparency and accountability.
“The House Blue Ribbon Committee has given the Vice President every opportunity to clarify the use of public funds under her office. Ang tanong ng taongbayan: Nasaan ang malinaw na paliwanag?” Khonghun said.
Ortega warned that Duterte’s continued absence would only fuel public doubt. “Kung magpapatuloy ang pag-iwas, lalong magdududa ang publiko. Huwag natin hayaan ang mga ‘budol’ tactics na maghari.”
Khonghun urged Duterte to reconsider, reminding her of the importance of public trust.
“As public servants, our duty is to the people. Vice President Duterte owes it to the Filipino people to provide answers—not just on paper, but in person,” he pointed out.
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