TACLOBAN CITY – Rep. Jude A. Acidre of the Tingog party-list did not mince words and confronted Vice President Sara Duterte saying it is the right of the congressmen to ask and get clarify on the budget proposal of any office like that of the Office of Vice President.
Acidre, who is also a deputy majority floor leader, made this remark after Duterte refused repeatedly to answer questions from the lawmakers during the budget hearing of her office last Tuesday, August 27.
“Given the esteemed position of the Office of the Vice President (OVP), could the honorable Vice President kindly enlighten this committee on how the proposed budget reflects the core mandate of the Office of the Vice President,” Acidre said.
“We are sincerely eager to understand how these resources will be used to fulfill the critical responsibilities, particularly the constitutional mandate of the Office of the Vice President,” he added.
Despite of the Vice President’s refusal to answer him during the deliberations, Rep. Acidre continued to question Duterte about her office’s plans for utilizing the requested P2.03 billion budget.
Duterte’s refusal to engage in a discussion about the proposed budget for the OVP, Rep. Acidre suggested, indicates a lack of interest in accountability and meaningful dialogue about her plans to serve the Filipino people.
“With humility and respect for the Vice President, we wish to remind her that public office remains a public trust. Our position demands a level of accountability to the people we serve, and this includes explaining how we intend to utilize taxpayers’ money,” Rep. Acidre stressed.
(LIZBETH ANN A.ABELLA)
