THREE members of the House of Representatives on Wednesday criticized Vice President Sara Duterte for refusing to testify under oath at a congressional probe seeking to investigate the alleged misuse of public funds of her office, questioning her commitment to public accountability.
Zambales Rep. Jay Khonghun, Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro and Kabataan Rep. Raoul Manuel slammed VP Duterte for her act of defiance at the first hearing of the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability.
Khonghun stressed that taking the oath is not just a legal requirement but a fundamental act of transparency and accountability for public officials.
“Taking the oath is not just a legal formality, it is a commitment to honesty. Any refusal to do so undermines trust in public statements,” Khonghun declared during the hearing.
“Refusing to testify under oath sends a signal that there is something to avoid,” he added.
Luistro echoed Khonghun’s concerns during her own remarks, pointing out the implications of VP Duterte’s refusal.
“I wish to manifest that the refusal of Her Excellency Vice President Sara Duterte to take her oath in today's hearing in the conduct of inquiry in aid of legislation is an affirmation of her stand, her position during the budget briefing of the OVP,” Luistro said.
She explained that the lack of an oath diminishes the credibility of any statements made.
“When the resource speaker does not take her oath, then it follows that whatever statement she will provide, we call it, it could not hold any water,” Luistro added.
Manuel expressed disappointment over VP Duterte’s refusal to take the oath, a public spectacle of defiance of established norms of accountability.
“Gusto ko munang i-manifest na sobrang disappointed po tayo … We took the time for this committee at inimbitahan ang Office of the Vice President pero yun nga po nalaman natin na hindi nag-take ng oath. At bago tayo maka pagtanong para din marinig ng nakaupong bise presidente, umalis na rin po,” Manuel said.
He said that even former presidents take the oath when invited to congressional hearings.
“Even yung mga former presidents nga po, Mr. Chair, like former President Ramos, or President Estrada, former President Noynoy Aquino ay dumalo nung inimbitahan din sila ng mga legislative inquiry at nag take po sila ng oath,” Manuel said.
“So I think, again, we can let the Filipino people judge kung ano ba talaga ang performance ng niluklok nating mga opisyal sa pamahalaan.”
Khonghun further questioned why the Vice President, if she had nothing to hide, would refuse such a basic accountability measure.
“If there is nothing to conceal, why not take the oath? It is the basic act of accountability that all public officials must be willing to undertake,” he argued.
Luistro reminded her fellow lawmakers and the Filipino people of their duty to ensure that public office remains a public trust.
“Public office is a public trust. When there is a question, we're bound to answer. We're bound to explain. No less than the Philippine Constitution provides, we are accountable to the Filipino people at all times,” she stated.
During the hearing, both lawmakers emphasized that Congress has a responsibility to scrutinize the use of public funds, including confidential and socioeconomic funds under the OVP.
Luistro stressed the importance of explaining the use of public money, saying, “The confidential fund po ay pera ng bayan. We owe it to the people to explain kung paano ito ginastos, saan ito napunta,” she said.
Khonghun also explained that the inquiry is not intended to attack anyone personally but to ensure accountability.
“The purpose of this inquiry is not to attack anyone, but to shed light on matters that affect our nation's governance,” he clarified.
Luistro reiterated the need for Congress to exercise its “power of the purse” and oversight functions effectively.
“To be able to make sure that the power of the purse is properly exercised, we are granted as well by the oversight power,” Luistro explained.
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