Vice President Sara Duterte described the issues surrounding her office’s 2022 confidential funds as "politically motivated."
During a press conference in Bacolod City on Monday, Duterte said the House of Representatives’ hearings aim to discredit her office, despite its compliance with the Commission on Audit’s (COA) Audit Order Memorandum (AOM).
The statement comes after the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability cited four of her staff members for contempt due to their repeated refusal to attend the hearing on OVP fund utilization. She explained that her staff were occupied with preparations for upcoming activities, particularly the OVP’s 89th anniversary on Nov. 15.
"Ang problema sakanila wala talaga silang evidence of wrongdoing that is why pinipilit talaga nila na maghanap ng katiwalian na hanggang ngayon hindi pa rin nila nakukuha, sinisira lang nila ng sinisira 'yung dignity ng intitusyon ng OVP and ofcourse 'yung mga pangalan ng mga ordinary employees," said Duterte.
Duterte further alleged that House Speaker Martin Romualdez and First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos are politicizing the controversy surrounding her office’s confidential funds.
"Yes, it’s politically motivated na dahil hindi ko alam kung ano ang ikinagalit ni Liza Marcos sa akin sabi nya yung tumawa ako pagsabi ni FPRRD na bangag si President—wala na tayong magawa diyan. Si Martin alam ko he really wants to run for president," Duterte said.
She claimed that the scrutiny began last year after Romualdez and members of the Makabayan bloc met. Following this meeting, Duterte said, the criticisms of her office intensified, with Makabayan member Representative France Castro raising the possibility of an impeachment complaint against her.
In 2023, the House of Representatives removed the OVP’s confidential fund allocation, redirecting it to agencies directly responsible for national security. Romualdez, however, stated that this decision was not politically motivated.
When asked if she intends to run for president in the 2028 elections, Duterte responded that the best time to decide would be in December 2026, without elaborating further.
Duterte’s remarks follow a series of hearings by the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, which are investigating the OVP and Department of Education’s use of confidential funds.
Lawmakers have raised concerns over the alleged misuse of the OVP’s 2022 confidential funds, including the reported P125 million that was spent in just 11 days.
