By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Monday (25 November 2024) challenged Vice President Sara Duterte anew to explain her alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential and intelligence funds (CIFs) the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) received in 2022 and 2023 when she was education secretary.
In remarks before his colleagues, the leader of the 300-plus-strong House of Representatives also said the Vice President’s statement that she has contracted an assassin to kill him, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos was “both alarming and unprecedented” and “is not just reckless – it is dangerous.”
“Let me be clear: Hindi na ito biro. Hindi na ito normal na pananalita. Isa itong direktang banta sa ating demokrasya, sa ating pamahalaan, at sa seguridad ng ating bansa,” Speaker Romualdez said.
He reaffirmed his “unwavering support” for the President and his administration.
He likewise defended the House from the attacks and breach of protocols by VP Duterte, asking his colleagues to join him in this effort.
He said the Vice President’s allegations that he was plotting to destroy her because of her supposed political ambitions in 2028 are “unfounded and baseless” and “are a desperate attempt to distract from the real issues at hand.”
“Malinaw ang katotohanan: Ang trabaho ko bilang Speaker ay maglingkod, hindi manira. Ang pulitika ng paninira ay hindi kailanman naging bahagi ng aking prinsipyo,” he said.
He said his focus “has always been on fulfilling my responsibilities as Speaker of this House, leading with utmost integrity, untarnished by division, and self-interest; and guided by the principle that every action and decision I take must always be for the benefit of the Filipino people.”
“These unfounded accusations are not just about me. They are an affront to the House of Representatives. They are an attempt to erode public trust in this institution, to sow division, and to create chaos. We choose unity over division, dialogue over conflict, and cooperation over confrontation,” he added.
The House leader wondered why the Vice President was making the baseless accusations.
“The answer is simple: to divert attention from mounting evidence of fund misuse under her leadership at the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd),” he said.
“The issues surrounding confidential and intelligence funds, the questionable disbursements, and the lack of transparency demand answers. We will not tolerate and accept vague explanations and evasive responses,” he said.
“Kung wala kang itinatago, bakit hindi sagutin ang mga tanong? Karapatan ng taumbayan na malaman ang katotohanan,” Speaker Romualdez stressed.
“Accountability is not optional. Transparency is not negotiable. Those entrusted with public funds must be prepared to explain where it was disbursed, and how these resources were utilized,” he added.
“Hindi ito personal. Ito ay usapin ng pananagutan at tiwala ng taumbayan. Instead of providing clarity, we have seen attempts to shift the narrative, to create distractions, and to fabricate stories,” he said.
He reminded everyone that “the truth is resilient” and “no amount of noise can drown it out.”
The House leader told his colleagues that he was prompted to address them, “with a heavy but resolute heart,” by the “accusations that have been hurled against me personally but also the attacks on the institution we hold sacred – the House of Representatives, the heart of our democracy, and the voice of the Filipino people.”
He said the Vice President’s threats against him, the President and the First Lady send “a chilling message to our people, a message that violence can be contemplated by those in positions of power.”
“This is not just an affront to the individuals targeted; it is an attack on the very foundation of our government. It is an insult to every Filipino who believes in the rule of law and the sanctity of life. Violence has no place in our society. It is irreconcilable with the values that have taught and guided us for years – values of respect, and amicable peaceful conflict resolution,” he said.
Speaker Romualdez said House members should not let the Vice President’s threats “pass as mere rhetoric.”
“The gravity of such a confession demands accountability. It demands answers. It demands that we, as the representatives of the Filipino people, take a stand to protect our democracy from any and all forms of threats,” he emphasized.
“The actions of the Vice President will go down the annals of history like a nightmare that will haunt our people for generations, and this House will do whatever we can to protect the dignity of this institution and the 100 million Filipinos we represent,” he added.
He called for a collective defense of the integrity of the House of Representatives.
“This House of the People is a sacred institution. It is the embodiment of the people’s will, and its dignity must be upheld at all times,” he said.
“Ang Kongreso ay sagrado. Ang mga patakaran at seguridad dito ay hindi nilalabag. Ang paglabag sa mga ito ay kawalang-galang sa taumbayan na ating pinaglilingkuran,” he said.
He said disrespecting the House, its protocols and its leadership “is not just a breach of rules – it is a breach of trust.”
“To mock our protocols, to defy our orders, and to malign our leaders is to disrespect the Filipino people who elected us to serve. This House operates on the principles of the rule of law, transparency, and accountability. These principles are the bedrock of our democracy. To undermine them is to weaken the foundation upon which our nation stands,” he added.
The House leader urged his colleagues to join him in defending their institution.
“Ipaglaban natin ang dignidad ng Kongreso. Ipaglaban natin ang katotohanan. Ipaglaban natin ang ating demokrasya. This is not about personal interests; it is about preserving the integrity of the House of Representatives and ensuring that it remains a strong and credible voice for the Filipino people,” he said.
He assured the people that the House “will not waver in its commitment to transparency, accountability, and service.”
“We should not allow individuals to ruin this great nation with their manipulative tactics, their troll armies, or their few blind followers. We owe it to the Filipino people to remain steadfast in our mission to pass laws that improve lives, protect freedoms, and ensure a brighter future for all,” he said.
In reiterating his steadfast support for President Marcos Jr., Speaker Romualdez said, “Together, we will continue to advance the reforms and policies that will lead to economic recovery, national security, and a more equitable society.”
“Ang laban na ito ay hindi tungkol sa akin, hindi tungkol sa inyo, kundi para sa ating bayan at sa kinabukasan ng bawat Pilipino,” he said.
He appealed to House members, “Let us rise above the distractions. Let us reject baseless accusations. Let us focus on what truly matters: serving the people and strengthening the institutions that uphold our democracy.”
“Let us stay focused, steadfast and committed to the great job we are doing. It is indeed my honor and privilege fighting this battle with all of you,” he said.
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