By Junex Doronio
MANILA – Vice President Sara Duterte is accused of orchestrating a “cover-up” by preventing key associates—allegedly involved in the misuse of P500 million in confidential funds (CIF) for the Office of the Vice President (OVP)—from attending a House inquiry.
Manila Third District Rep. Joel Chua, chair of the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, expressed frustration over the absence of those directly responsible for handling the funds under scrutiny.
“Ang nakikita po namin dito, pinapapunta po nila ‘yung mga career officials na sa tingin po namin ay hindi naman po sila ang talagang concerned. Parang nagkakaroon po ng cover-up dito sa issue na ito,” Chua said in response to a reporter’s question during a press conference.
During the committee’s fifth hearing on Monday, OVP career officials—including Administrative and Financial Services Director Rosalynne Sanchez, Chief Accountant Julieta Villadelrey, Budget Division Chief Edelyn Rabago, and Chief Administrative Officer Kelvin Gerome Tenido—testified after multiple invitations and a subpoena.
However, Duterte’s close associates, such as OVP Undersecretary and Chief of Staff Zuleika Lopez and Special Disbursing Officer Gina Acosta, were absent. Both Lopez and Acosta had served as Duterte’s staff during her tenure as Davao City mayor.
The OVP career officials testified that they had no personal knowledge or involvement with the CIFs, instead pointing to Lopez and Acosta as those primarily responsible, as both are part of Duterte’s inner circle.
House Assistant Majority Leader and Zambales 1st District Rep. Jay Khonghun criticized Duterte’s actions, which he said showed “selective participation” designed to shield her inner circle from scrutiny.
“Actually, si VP Sara is shielding her inner circle from accountability. May selective participation, kung sino lang ‘yung gusto nilang ipadala at walang direktang kinalaman ‘dun sa liquidation ng funds, ‘yun ‘yung pinapadala niya,” Khonghun remarked, echoing Chua’s concern that sending officials without direct involvement gave the impression of a cover-up.
Responding to Duterte’s claim that certain officials were too busy preparing for the OVP’s anniversary to attend, Chua pointed out that the committee had sent multiple invitations, all of which had been ignored.
“Hindi naman po ito ‘yung first time na sila ay maimbitahan; this is actually the fifth committee hearing. Talaga namang ‘yung mga directly involved dito sa isyung ito, sa confidential funds, ay hindi nila pinapupunta,” he said, citing testimony that only Acosta, Lopez, and Duterte herself were privy to the details of the CIFs.
The committee is seeking explanations from OVP officials on the alleged misuse of P500 million in CIFs for the last quarter of 2022 and the first three quarters of 2023.
The Commission on Audit (COA) flagged nearly half of the total amount, disallowing P73 million of the P125 million spent by the OVP in just 11 days during the last quarter of 2022. It also issued Audit Observation Memorandums for P375 million spent in the first three quarters of 2023, citing alleged irregularities.
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By Junex Doronio
MANILA – On Monday (November 11, 2024), the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) chief lawyer, Emily Torrentira, unexpectedly appeared at a House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability hearing, despite not being formally invited.
Torrentira, head of the OVP’s Legal Affairs Department, refused to take an oath to “tell the whole truth” before the panel investigating alleged misuse of confidential funds, leading to her dismissal by committee chair Manila Rep. Joel Chua.
Last September 18, Vice President Sara Duterte also refused to take an oath and answer questions regarding the alleged misuse of P625 million in confidential funds received by the OVP and the Department of Education (DepEd) in 2022 and 2023, during her tenure as education secretary.
Torrentira is not one of the seven OVP officers summoned by the committee to explain adverse audit findings on the utilization of the P625-million confidential and intelligence funds (CIFs) allotted to the OVP and DepEd.
The Commission on Audit (COA) has flagged millions of pesos in confidential fund disbursements, including P73 million that it has disallowed, calling on the Vice President and two other officials to return the amount to government funds.
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By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Amid Vice President Sara Duterte’s declining trust and approval ratings, two prominent leaders from the House of Representatives’ “Young Guns” are raising serious concerns about her accountability, describing the situation as a growing issue in public perception.
House Assistant Majority Leaders Jay Khonghun of Zambales and Paolo Ortega of La Union said Filipinos are seeking clear answers regarding the controversies surrounding Duterte’s questionable use of confidential funds, both in her current role and during her tenure as Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd).
“Vice President Duterte’s dropping trust ratings signal a critical problem in how people perceive her,” Khonghun stated. “When a public official faces unexplained controversies, it becomes difficult for people to trust them. If these issues aren’t addressed, it could seriously damage her credibility in the long term.”
Recent data from the OCTA Research survey reflects a six-point decline in Duterte’s trust rating, now at 59%, and an eight-point drop in her performance rating, which has fallen to 52% from a previous high of 87% last year.
Khonghun highlighted pressing issues that require immediate explanation, including an alleged P15 million in confidential funds purportedly allocated for a youth leadership summit—funds that the military later denied receiving—as well as a P16 million expense for renting safe houses in late 2022.
“If these controversies aren’t clarified, how can she expect people to trust her in the future? Trust is earned through transparency and accountability, qualities essential for every public servant,” Khonghun said.
Echoing Khonghun’s sentiments, Ortega noted that Duterte’s steep drop in ratings illustrates how public trust can erode when accountability is ignored.
“From a high of 87% in March 2023 to 59% today, that’s a significant decline,” Ortega pointed out. “People want leaders they can trust. To maintain public confidence, leaders must be open and transparent.”
Ortega also stressed that ignoring these controversies could undermine Duterte’s credibility if she intends to remain in public service. “Silence is not an option, especially when the public is closely watching,” he added.
Both lawmakers emphasized that disregarding public concerns risks setting a low standard for government accountability.
“The duty to address issues that could undermine public trust should be a priority. If VP Duterte continues to avoid these controversies, it sets a troubling example for accountability in government,” Khonghun remarked.
“A true leader does not hide behind controversy. She should demonstrate to the public that she has nothing to hide and is willing to address these issues openly,” Ortega stated.
During a recent hearing by the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, retired Maj. Gen. Adonis Bajao, Lt. Col. Carlos Sangdaan Jr., and Colonels Manaros Boransing and Magtangol Panopio denied receiving a P15 million payment from confidential funds allegedly allocated to pay informants.
These military officials issued certifications for Youth Leadership Summits (YLS), a regular anti-insurgency program led by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in 2023. However, DepEd reportedly used these certifications to justify a P15 million expense for informant rewards instead.
Lawmakers expressed shock at the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) use of P16 million in confidential funds to rent 34 safe houses for just 11 days in the last quarter of 2022. Some safe houses cost nearly P91,000 per day—higher than rates at high-end resorts like Shangri-La Boracay.
Rep. Joel Chua of Manila’s 3rd District, who chairs the committee, questioned whether these safe houses were indeed luxurious properties, noting that similar rentals in Bonifacio Global City typically cost around P90,000 per month, significantly lower than the daily rate of P91,000 paid by the OVP.
Khonghun and Ortega concluded by emphasizing the importance of transparency, stating that as public servants, leaders owe it to the people to be open and accountable, especially when public funds are involved.
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MANILA, Philippines — Though with a slight decline, majority of Filipinos continue to trust and approve of President Marcos’ performance, while Vice President Sara Duterte’s ratings have seen a further drop, according to a third-quarter OCTA Research survey.
President Marcos’ Ratings Hold Steady
The survey, conducted from Sept. 4 to 7, revealed that 66% of 1,200 respondents are satisfied with Marcos’ performance, down slightly from 68% in July. Trust in Marcos also dipped marginally from 71% to 69%, while dissatisfaction rose from 10% to 12%. OCTA noted that the changes in Marcos’ ratings remain within the survey’s margin of error.
Duterte’s Approval and Trust Ratings Drop
In contrast, Duterte’s ratings saw a sharper decline. Her performance approval fell eight points to 52%, with dissatisfaction rising from 12% to 15%. Trust in her decreased by six points to 59%, with notable drops in Metro Manila and Luzon, especially among socio-economic classes ABC and D. Her approval in Metro Manila dropped from 50% to 38%, and trust declined by 13 points to 47%.
The Vice President continues to hold strong support in Mindanao, where her ratings remain above 90%.
Possible Factors in Duterte’s Decline
The survey highlights a continuing decline in Duterte’s ratings, following her public split from the Marcos administration, including her resignation as education secretary in June and recent public criticisms of the President. Duterte is also currently under investigation by the House committee on good government for her office’s use of confidential funds.
Escudero’s Ratings Remain High
Senate President Francis Escudero maintained high trust and approval ratings, scoring 67% and 65%, respectively, in the same survey. He expressed gratitude to the public, stating that he is committed to serving the people.
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By Junex Doronio
MANILA – Alarmed by Vice President Sara Duterte’s recent statements, leaders of the so-called “Young Guns” in the House of Representatives have raised concerns about her mental health, suggesting a psychological evaluation may be necessary.
The Young Guns believe such an assessment is crucial after VP Duterte’s press conference, where she mentioned imagining cutting off President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s head and threatened to exhume his father’s remains and throw them into the West Philippine Sea.
“Walang matinong tao ang makakaisip, lalo’t gagawa, ng ganitong klaseng pahayag. Nakababahala ang antas ng kawalan ng katinuan sa kanyang mga salita,” remarked House Assistant Majority Leader and Zambales 1st District Rep. Jay Khonghun.
He added: “For someone in such a high position to make violent and grotesque threats, even in jest, shows a troubling level of instability. Kailangang magkaroon ng masusing psychological assessment upang matiyak kung siya ay karapat-dapat pang maglingkod sa bayan sa ganitong kritikal na posisyon.”
House Assistant Majority Leader and La Union 1st District Rep. Paolo Ortega V echoed these concerns, pointing out the potential risks of Duterte’s statements and the serious implications for the country.
“Ang ganitong uri ng marahas at nakakatakot na mga pahayag ay hindi katanggap-tanggap mula sa kahit sino, lalo na sa isang nakaupong Bise Presidente. Malinaw na may malalaking katanungan tungkol sa kanyang estado ng pag-iisip at emosyonal na kalagayan,” Ortega noted.
“We strongly urge the Office of the Vice President to consider seeking professional help for Vice President Duterte. This behavior is deeply concerning and could have significant consequences for our nation’s leadership,” Ortega emphasized.
Notably, VP Duterte’s press conference took place just a day after a House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability hearing revealed discrepancies regarding the Department of Education’s (DepEd) use of confidential and intelligence funds (CIFs) during her tenure. DepEd had falsely claimed to have used CIFs for a youth program, but military officers testified that most expenses for the Youth Leadership Summits (YLS) in 2023 were covered by the military and local government units.
Despite these testimonies, under VP Duterte’s leadership, DepEd used military certifications related to the YLS to justify the allocation of ₱15 million in CIFs, which were supposedly intended for paying informants.
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By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio on Friday (18 Oct 2024) said she has no regrets about running for the position, stating that if she were still a mayor, it would be “easy” for her opponents to remove her from office.
“I don’t regret running for Vice President, kasi imagine niyo, kung mayor ako tapos hinahabol nila ako ngayon, di ba? Napakadali nila ako i-suspend, napakadali nila ako kasuhan, napakadali nila ako tanggalin sa pwesto as mayor,” Duterte-Carpio said on Friday, October 18, 2024.
The Vice President also mentioned she has no regrets about teaming up with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. during the elections.
Duterte-Carpio ran alongside Marcos in the 2022 elections under UniTeam.
“Hindi ko din pinagsisihan na nakipagtandem ako sa kanya. I’m sure merong rason ang Diyos… para rin siguro sa kanya, para kay BBM, or para sa bayan,” she said.
She also revealed that she was approached by the Marcoses to help them win against then-presidential aspirant Leni Robredo.
Duterte-Carpio said she received a call from Senator Imee Marcos, asking her to run for Vice President as her brother’s running mate to secure the election victory.
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By Janvic Mateo
MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte have experienced a dip in public approval and trust, according to a recent Pulse Asia survey conducted from September 6 to 13.
Marcos’ approval rating dropped to 50%, down three points from June’s 53%. Meanwhile, his trust rating slipped to 50% from 52%. Disapproval of his performance rose slightly from 19% to 21%.
Vice President Duterte’s approval rating saw a significant decline, dropping from 69% in June to 60%. Her trust rating also decreased by 10 points, from 71% to 61%. Disapproval of her performance increased from 9% to 17%.
Senate President Francis Escudero, in his first rating since taking office in May, earned a 60% approval rating but saw a 13-point drop in trust, from 69% to 56%.
The survey, which included 2,400 respondents, reported a margin of error of plus-minus two percent.
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By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Dissapointed that Vice President Sara Duterte snubbed the plenary debates on the proposed P2-billion 2025 budget for the Office of the Vice President (OVP) only to learn that she was having a good time in a beach in Camarines Norte, members of the so-called Young Guns of the House of Representatives on Tuesday (24 Sept 2024) said the country’s second highest official may not be interested in her position and should better step down.
This developed even as lawmakers deny that the majority is hatching an impeachment move against VP Sara and said they will be waiting until Wednesday (25 September 2024) to hear her defend the OVP budget for next year.
“So if that’s the case, it shows that she’s not interested in her duties and functions as the vice president of the Philippines. So with that coming out, probably we can ask her to step down as the vice president,” Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Raul Angelo “Jil” Bongalon said in a press conference.
He noted that by apparently having a good time in the beach while lawmakers were having a hard time scrutinizing the budget of each government agency shows a lack of interest in her office.
“So I guess it’s the Filipino people, it’s up to them to judge the vice president… If she’s not interested with her duties and functions as the vice president, we can ask the vice president to step down,” Bongalon quipped.
Deputy Speaker David Suarez was asked if Bongalon’s suggestion was a sentiment shared by other lawmakers.
“Well that’s clear sentiments being shared by a lot of members. I mean, you know, this work, a responsibility. We are all elected. We are the one entrusted to serve. We have duties to fulfill. This is part of our work. This is part of our responsibility,” Suarez said.
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By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio stated on Wednesday (Sept. 18, 2024) that she is not personally friends with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
Duterte-Carpio, who was Marcos’ running mate in the 2022 elections under the UniTeam banner, clarified their relationship.
“We’ve never really talked much. We’re not friends,” Duterte-Carpio said, referring to the President.
“We only got to know each other because we became running mates. Even before that, we weren’t in communication. We only talked during the campaign and because of work,” she added.
The Vice President did mention, however, that she shares a close relationship with Marcos’ sister, Senator Imee Marcos.
“My real friend is Senator Imee Marcos. She’s known me since 2012,” Duterte-Carpio said.
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By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Refusing to take oath before the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday (18 Sept 2024) accused lawmakers of plotting to impeach her using the budget hearing as a sort of smokescreen.
VP Duterte was accused at the hearing of a privilege speech by Manila Second District Representative Rolando Valeriano.
“Witnesses lang po ang ino-oath. Sabi ninyo sa amin ngayon, resource persons kami (You only administer an oath to witnesses. We are just resource persons),” the Vice President said.
Committee chair Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua retorted that “everyone is considered a resource person and witness.”
Former president and Pampanga 2nd District Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo contended that the committee cannot trivialize the difference between a resource person and a witness.
“They’re not the same; the Supreme Court says they are not the same. Somebody who appears to be the accused has a different tier of protection from a witness, and, can refuse to take the witness stand,” Arroyo said.
The committee convened to discuss Valeriano’s privilege speech last September 3, where he asked OVP to show proof that the financial beneficiaries of their programs were true.
“Ang pagtanggi ni Vice President Sara Duterte na sagutin ang mga tanong tungkol sa kanyang panukalang budget at ang kwestyonable niyang paggastos sa mga nagdaang OVP budgets na sinita ng Commission on Audit (COA) ang mga dahilan kung bakit tayo narito ngayon,” Valeriano said.
“She expressly rejected any question about the OVP budget even before those questions were put forward,” he recalled.
But VP Sara, who asked to leave early, maintained that the lawmakers are planning to oust her through impeachment.
“Sa totoo lang, hindi naman ang budget ang punterya ninyo, dahil napakadali naman magtanggal ng budget. What you are trying to do is make a case for impeachment,” VP Duterte said.
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By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio stated that the Office of the Vice President (OVP) is prepared to function even without funding for 2025.
“We’ve heard about the possibility of defunding. There are talks that only one peso might be allocated for the OVP budget. We are ready. I am ready, and the Office of the Vice President is prepared to work even without a budget,” Duterte-Carpio said in a video released by the OVP.
“Our operations are small, so we can manage to continue working even without funding. We understand that this is part of the ongoing political attacks, but we will keep doing what we need to do for the country,” she added.
The Vice President was notably absent from the recent 2025 budget hearing in the House of Representatives, following tense discussions during the initial hearing.
“We defer entirely to the discretion and judgment of the committee regarding our proposed budget for the coming year,” she previously remarked.
Duterte-Carpio also pointed out that political attacks on the Vice President are not uncommon.
“If we look at history, the Vice President is often targeted because people view them as a potential future president,” she explained.
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By Junex Doronio
MANILA – Amid swirling impeachment rumors in the House of Representatives, House Majority Leader Manuel Jose “Mannix” Dalipe said Tuesday (September 10, 2024) that Vice President Sara Duterte could be held liable for graft if she fails to justify ₱73.2 million in intelligence expenses disallowed by the Commission on Audit (COA), as well as ₱12.3 billion in “disallowances and suspensions” related to the Department of Education (DepEd) in 2023.
Dalipe urged COA to finalize its report on the questionable disbursements, along with its recommendations.
“More than just allegations of mismanagement, she may be held liable for graft and possible violations of anti-graft laws if she cannot adequately explain and justify the adverse findings. If COA does not accept her explanations, this could escalate,” Dalipe said.
He pointed out that COA has been pressing VP Duterte to return the ₱73.2 million disallowed from her office’s ₱125 million intelligence fund, which was reportedly used up in just 11 days—averaging ₱11.36 million per day.
Additionally, Dalipe noted that COA is requiring Duterte, in her capacity as former DepEd secretary, and other DepEd officials to repay ₱12.3 billion in expenses flagged for doubtful legality and validity.
Duterte served as DepEd secretary from the start of the Marcos administration until her resignation on July 19.
In its audit of the Office of the Vice President’s ₱125-million intelligence fund, COA flagged several irregularities, including late submission of liquidation reports, discrepancies in notarization dates, and failure to submit required accomplishment reports to relevant offices promptly.
Dalipe highlighted that the most pressing issue is the unexplained disallowance, which constitutes more than half of the confidential funds used by the OVP in 2022.
“This raises serious concerns about how these funds were used. The fact that ₱73 million was flagged demands answers. If the Vice President’s office cannot clarify or correct these discrepancies, this could lead to more than administrative penalties—it may point to criminal liability for graft,” Dalipe warned.
The grounds for impeachment include culpable violations of the Constitution, treason, bribery, graft and corruption, betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes.
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By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Taking notice that Vice President Sara Duterte earlier claimed that self-proclaimed “Appointed Son of God” Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy was no longer within the 30-hectare Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) compound where her father former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte serves as its administrator, a lawmaker on Monday (9 September 2024) has raised the possibility that they could be held liable for obstruction of justice.
House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability chairperson and Manila Rep. Joel Chua pointed out that “no one is above the law,” including those who once held the highest positions of power in the country.
“The arrest of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy within the vast Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) compound in Davao City raises serious concerns about the integrity and accountability of those who have direct ties to this controversial preacher,” Chua noted.
“Moreover, Vice President Sara Duterte’s previous statements downplaying Quiboloy’s presence in the compound now appear to be misleading, if not intentionally deceptive,” he added.
Chua further noted the assurance given by the Vice President that Quiboloy was no longer within the compound “calls into question her credibility and suggests an attempt to shield the preacher from justice.”
“Such actions, if proven, would not only obstruct the course of justice but also erode public trust in our officials,” the Manila Solon said.
“If the Duterte family played any role in protecting or enabling Quiboloy during his time as a fugitive, they must be held accountable, just like any other citizen,” Chua emphasized.
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By Junex Doronio
MANILA – Netizens are buzzing over photos of the owner of the alleged illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub, recently raided in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.
The images show him appearing close with Vice President Sara Duterte and Senator Imee Marcos.
The two photos, featuring Chinese national Zao Lao alongside VP Sara and Sen. Imee, were reportedly seized by authorities during the raid at Tourist Garden Hotel on August 31.
According to reports, the Bilyonaryo News Channel, a sister outlet of Politiko, obtained exclusive access to these images.
“Tell me who your friends are, and I’ll tell you who you are,” some political pundits quipped, quoting an old saying.
However, some netizens argued that the undated photos, seemingly taken at the same event given Lao’s outfit, are “not conclusive.” They suggested it’s common for “trapos” (traditional politicians) like VP Sara and Sen. Imee to take pictures with fans or supporters.
Lao was arrested during the joint operation by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC).
The PAOCC revealed that almost all of the foreigners rescued from the illegal POGO hub were former employees of the controversial Lucky South 99, previously located in Bamban, Tarlac, and Porac, Pampanga.
PAOCC spokesperson Winston Casio confirmed on Wednesday, September 4, that around two-thirds of the 169 rescued employees were from these areas.
Notably, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan, a strong supporter of VP Sara, was absent during the raid.
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By Junex Doronio
MANILA — On how the liquidated P112 million 2023 confidential fund during the term of Vice President Sara Duterte as Department of Education Secretary was used has baffled the lawmakers during the House Appropriations Committee deliberations on the DepEd’s proposed P793 billion budget for 2025.
DepEd Undersecretary for Finance Annalyn Sevilla on Monday (2 September 2024) told the House panel that the department was unaware of how the fund was utilized.
“We would like to clarify DepEd Finance’s role in the release, utilization, and reporting of the confidential fund,” Sevilla told the House panel.
“To answer po ‘yung question kung alam ba namin’ yung details nung pinagamitan, we do not know because we’re not part of the process po ng utilization and liquidation,” she pointed out.
It can be recalled that last week, Kabataan party-list lawmaker Raoul Manuel asked VP Sara to explain the disbursement of confidential funds during her term as Education Secretary.
However, VP Sara repeatedly refused to answer questions from the lawmakers, especially those involving confidential funds by the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Education Department.
She contended that these were not related to her office’s proposed P2 billion budget for 2025.
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By Junex Doronio
MANILA — After Vice President Sara Duterte refused to answer the questions of the House Committee on Appropriations and “dictated” that a different lawmaker should preside on the panel, Rep. France Castro of the ACT Teachers partylist has expressed her intent to slash by half the proposed P2.037-billion budget for the Office of the Vice President (OVP) for 2025.
The national democrat legislator pointed out that there are too many programs that are not under the Vice-President’s mandate.
“Hindi trabaho ng VP ang pagpapalimbag ng libro niya. ‘Yung ginagastos niya sa ayuda, andyan DSWD, DOH, DTI Tesda sa livelihood. Tatanggalin ko ‘yun kasi wala naman sa mandate niya,” Castro noted.
On Wednesday (28 August 2024), the ACT Teachers party-list lawmaker criticized VP Sara’s actions during a congressional budget hearing in which she asked that a different lawmaker preside over the hearing.
“Nakita natin ‘yung tunay na ugali ng ating VP. Feeling niya underdog siya,” Castro said in an interview on TeleRadyo Serbisyo.
She added that she was also surprised when VP Sara asked that the chairperson of the Finance Committee preside over the hearing instead of House Committee on Appropriations Senior Vice Chairperson Rep. Stella Quimbo.
“Ngayon lang kami nakakita na isang resource person na magdidikta sa committee,” Castro quipped.
During Tuesday’s (27 August 2024) hearing, VP Sara was visibly irked after Castro commented on the OVP’s use of P125 million in just 11 days.
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By Junex Doronio
MANILA — On Tuesday, August 27, 2024, Vice President Sara Duterte remained firm in her refusal to address questions from Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers party-list lawmaker France Castro regarding the disbursement of P73 million in confidential funds by the Office of the Vice President (OVP) in 2022.
“Nakalagay doon sa rules nyo, di ba, discussions should be germane to the topic. …This is a hearing on the 2025 budget; where is the relevance of the confidential funds here?” Duterte said.
The Commission on Audit (COA) submitted documents to the House appropriations panel indicating that a notice of disallowance had been issued for the P73 million in confidential funds disbursed by the OVP, prompting Castro to inquire about the allocation of these funds.
“I have here a report about the notice of disallowance. According to the COA, P73 million out of P125 million in confidential funds used by the OVP in 2022 has been disallowed, which amounts to 58.63% of the total. Can you confirm this, Vice President?” Castro asked.
The lawmakers were deliberating the proposed P2 billion budget for the OVP in 2025.
VP Sara, however, repeatedly declined to respond to Castro’s inquiries, dismissing them as snide comments.
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MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s trust and performance ratings saw an improvement in the second quarter of 2024, while Vice President Sara Z. Duterte experienced a decline, according to the latest survey from the OCTA Research Group.
OCTA’s “Tugon ng Masa” survey, conducted from June 30 to July 5, revealed that President Marcos’ trust rating increased to 71 percent, up from 69 percent in the first quarter of 2024. In contrast, Vice President Duterte’s trust rating dropped by 3 percentage points, landing at 65 percent from the previous 68 percent.
“This marks the first time President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. has registered a higher trust and performance rating than Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio in the last three years of the TNM surveys,” OCTA stated.
The survey highlighted that Vice President Duterte’s trust and performance ratings have been trending downward for two consecutive quarters in 2024.
President Marcos’ trust score saw a significant 8-percentage-point increase in Mindanao, Duterte’s home region, rising from 48 percent to 56 percent. His highest trust rating was recorded in Balance Luzon at 80 percent, followed by Metro Manila at 70 percent, and the Visayas at 69 percent.
Trust ratings for Marcos also saw an increase of 22 percentage points among adult Filipinos in Class ABC (74 percent), followed by Classes D (71 percent) and E (66 percent).
Approval of Marcos’ performance similarly rose by 3 percentage points, reaching 68 percent, up from 65 percent in the first quarter. His performance rating was highest in Balance Luzon at 75 percent, with an 8-percentage-point improvement in Mindanao (56 percent). Metro Manila and the Visayas followed with ratings of 68 percent and 65 percent, respectively.
Marcos’ performance approval also increased by 11 percentage points among Class ABC respondents (71 percent), with Classes D (68 percent) and E (64 percent) showing similar improvements.
Meanwhile, Vice President Duterte maintained her highest trust score in Mindanao, which increased by 9 percentage points to 95 percent. However, her ratings declined in Balance Luzon by 4 percentage points (from 48 percent to 52 percent) and in the Visayas by 3 percentage points (from 63 percent to 66 percent). In Metro Manila, her trust score stood at 60 percent.
Despite these declines, Duterte still earned her highest trust score from Class E respondents, although it fell by 4 percentage points, from 68 percent to 64 percent. This was followed by Classes D (65 percent) and ABC (64 percent).
Duterte’s performance ratings dropped across all regions, with the most significant declines in Metro Manila (a 6-percentage-point decrease, from 56 percent to 50 percent) and the Visayas (a 4-percentage-point decrease, from 64 percent to 60 percent). Her performance rating remained highest in Mindanao at 92 percent, while Balance Luzon recorded her lowest at 48 percent.
Among socioeconomic classes, Duterte’s performance rating decreased by 6 percentage points in Class E (from 71 percent to 65 percent) and by 3 percentage points in Class D (from 60 percent to 57 percent). Her lowest performance rating was among Class ABC, at 56 percent.
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By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio condemned the ‘violent’ search for Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) Pastor Apollo Quiboloy in its compound in Davao City.
Duterte-Carpio clarified in her statement on Sunday (25 August 2024) that she does not oppose the issuance of warrant of arrest, however, it should not be done violently.
“Hindi ko tinututulan ang implementasyon ng anumang warrant of arrest na naaayon sa batas. Ngunit kailanman ay hindi katanggap-tanggap ang paggamit ng dahas laban sa mga inosenteng mamamayan at mga deboto ng Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC),” the Vice President said in a statement.
“I vehemently condemn the gross abuse of police power in the takeover of the KOJC compound earlier today, which led to the harassment of religious worshipers, the abuse of minors, and the unnecessary loss of life.”
On Saturday morning, around 2,000 police officers went to KOJC’s compound to arrest Quiboloy, however, authorities failed to find him.
According to the authorities, a member of the religious group reportedly died due to cardiac arrest as the police tried to serve warrant against Quiboloy.
Meanwhile, Duterte-Carpio asked for forgiveness to the KOJC members for asking them to vote for President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
“Kaya nais ko ring humingi ng kapatawaran sa lahat ng miyembro, deboto at bumubuo ng Kingdom of Jesus Christ, sa paghikayat at pakiusap ko sa inyong iboto si Bongbong Marcos Jr. noong 2022. Nawa’y mapatawad ninyo ako.”
(ia/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Visibly disappointed, the so-called “Young Guns” of the House of Representatives on Monday (12 Aug 2024) criticized the “deafening silence” of Vice President Sara Duterte on the heels of the latest harassment by China in the West Philippine Sea.
This was in contrast to the quick action by Malacañang on Sunday (11 August 2024) when it said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. “strongly condemns” the air incident and stands by the brave men and women of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), especially the Philippine Air Force (PAF).
In a press conference, Rep. Jil Bongalon (Ako Bicol Partylist) could not hide his disappointment with VP Sara for “not issuing a statement against China” since she assumed office in July 2022.
House Assistant Majority Leader and La Union Rep. Francisco Paolo Ortega V echoed Bongalon’s sentiment and expressed bewilderment over VP Sara’s “deafening silence” on China’s aggressions in the West Philippine Sea.
Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong (Lanao del Sur, 1st District) commented that how the public will interpret Duterte’s refusal to condemn China over its aggression at sea will “define the kind of leader she is.”
“I’m trying to question why, with all of these things happening, especially with the recent flare of the Chinese government in the West Philippine Sea, she remains silent about it,” Adiong said.
ia/mnm