Opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros responded to Vice President Sara Duterte’s assertion that detractors couldn’t substantiate their claims of a ‘dirty imagination’ when they questioned the confidential expenses for the Office of the Vice President in 2022, which weren’t covered by the General Appropriations Act (GAA) from the previous year.

“Trabaho lang, walang drama.” Hontiveros said, justifying her duty as a senator in questioning the budget.

“Akala ko ba, VP Sara, the OVP can live without confidential funds? Bakit parang pinapawisan na yata kayo diyan, budget hearing pa lang? Lahat naman ng ahensya naglalabas ng proposed budget,” Hontiveros declared.

“Hindi kayo special,” she further said.

The statement was in relation to the Vice President’s remarks in which she said, “Senator Risa Hontiveros, while she amuses the nation with her flair for drama, could only wish the 2022 OVP CIF (Office of the Vice President Confidential and Intelligence Funds) was accessed illegally.”

“If you’re so confident about those confidential funds, then defend them publicly,” Hontiveros said, daring Duterte to justify the OVP’s need for Confidential and Intelligence Funds.

Hontiveros also criticized the OVP for finding the task of defending its budget against critics “amusing”.

“Napakababa na yata ng standards ngayon sa OVP. Gagawin mo lang ang trabaho mo, ‘amusing’ na agad? Kung meron mang ‘amusing,’ yan ay yung halos kalahating oras na turo-turo, pag-iwas sa tanong, paikot-ikot na sagot, at pagbabalu-baluktot ng sitwasyon. Ginawa nilang perya ang basic na proseso ng pagbusisi ng pera ng bayan,” the senator pointed out.

Hontiveros emphasized that the underlying problem is that the projected confidential funds for both the OVP and the Department of Education, both of which are under Duterte’s control, exceed the combined confidential funds of the Department of National Defense and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency.

“Bakit ba kailangan niya ng napakalaking pondo na walang audit o disclosure sa publiko?” Hontiveros pointed out.

“Given the significant responsibility of government officials, I demand a shred of competence when it comes to fiscal matters— like any Filipino taxpayer,” she reiterated.

“Kaysa sa mga personal na atake at pag-iwas sa tanong, mas maganda sigurong kung linawin na lang ni VP Sara ang pondo ng opisina niya para sa isang national budget na mas transparent, mas epektibo, at mas tutugon sa pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan,” Hontiveros emphasized.

Photo: Senate of the Philippines FB