By Junex Doronio

Not Senator Risa Hontiveros, so it seems, as she has issued a “strongly worded” video addressed to Duterte in response to the latter’s verbal assaults against her for demanding transparency on how she used her confidential funds (CFs).

On Tuesday, September 12, Duterte lambasted Hontiveros and ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro for questioning the Office of the Vice President’s use of CFs in 2022.

When asked in a Davao City radio interview, why she singled out Hontiveros and Castro, the feisty Vice President and Education Secretary curtly replied: “Because I do not respect Ms. Castro and Ms. Hontiveros. I have no respect for them.”

It was learned that the OVP sought a P500-million CF purportedly to streamline its operations, while the Department of Education (DepEd) asked for P150-million so it could conduct surveillance on radical groups reportedly recruiting students.

“Hindi ko hinihingi ang respeto mo, VP Sara. Ang hinihingi ko sa iyo, at ng taumbayan, ay accountability,” Hontiveros sharply replied.

The opposition lawmaker also appeared unafraid of the second highest official of the land.

“Kung hindi mo kayang irespeto ang mga katrabaho mo, irespeto mo man lang sana ang paggasta ng pera ng bayan,” Hontiveros hammered on.

She noted that a week has passed since the Senate tackled the proposed CFs, and it was only last September 12 that Duterte took notice of the issue.

Earlier, Hontiveros had pressed for bigger confidential and intelligence funds (CIFs) for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in the face of frequent Chinese incursions in the West Philippine Sea.

She lamented the “measly” P10-million funds that the PCG receives, saying it paled in comparison with the CIFs of other civilian government agencies — apparently referring to OVP and DepEd — that are not mandated to protect national security.

“The lives of our coast guards are at stake every time they conduct maritime patrols in the West Philippine Sea. They are the ones who tirelessly and gallantly confront these massive and numerous Chinese vessels in the open sea,” Hontiveros noted.

(ai/mnm)