We Filipinos love and adore underdogs. We side with them no matter the cost.
The recent House inquiry on the budget of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) showed not an underdog but a rabid dog in the person of VP Sara Duterte.
When questioned by our congressmen, she simply replied repeatedly, “I will forego the opportunity to defend the budget in the question and answer format. I will leave it to the House of Representatives to decide on the 2025 budget.”
Her combative attitude showed her true colors which was a complete turn-off to many Filipinos. But only her rabid supporters would never see any wrongdoing on her part. The same attitude they have for the Marcoses – nothing good they do would merit even a bit of praise from them.
We shall see what kind of behavior she will once again display come September 10.
Anyways, 2028 looks bleak for Sara Duterte the pretentious underdog. Incidentally, some congressmen are now discussing the possibility of impeachment proceedings for the vice-president as no less than ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro has reiterated that Sara Duterte’s misuse of confidential funds is definitely an impeachable offense.
If you recall, no less than the Commission on Audit (COA) issued a Notice of Disallowance concerning confidential funds of P73 million out of P125 million for which they demanded the return of the fund.
It was used for reward payments amounting to P10 million and for the use of various goods amounting to P34,857 million, for medicines amounting to P24.930 million, and P3.5 million for tables, chairs, desktops and computers.
In addition, Rep. Castro said VP Duterte utilized the same pattern in spending P357 million of her P500 million confidential funds in 2023.
So there is a sinister pattern and behavior indeed. The wastage of confidential funds at a time when government funds are low is certainly an impeachable offense.
For how else could you justify spending P125 million in just 11 days? P99 million as cash rewards for informers, and P26 million for travel expenses and safe houses.
Hence, she should be reminded that public service is a public trust, requiring the public official to place loyalty to the Constitution, its laws, and ethical principles way above private gain, nor hold financial interests that conflict with the conscientious performance of duty.
I hope this is followed to the letter. But let us look at the weather inside the House. No congressman will be open (at least these days) that impeachment discussions are taking place.
But just look at how VP Sara treated members of the House by her arrogant display of uncouth behavior – a preview of what she could be should fate lead her to the throne someday, that is why right-thinking Filipinos frown at this possibility.
For how much more damage to the morality of the electorate can the vice-president share if she treats other elected officials in a most disrespectful way? The bad fruit certainly does not fall far from the tree.
As for the senators in the upper chamber, we all know many of them pine to be the second highest officer of the land, even the presidency, that is why they would certainly give their nod to an impeachment proceeding just like in the time of the late former Chief Justice Renato Corona with then Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile as presiding officer. Sometimes, humility is the key while arrogance is a waiting ravine.
Hiding like a coward that he is
The insistence of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy that the US should not meddle in his case is non-negotiable.
First of all, no less than the FBI wants him too, and no fugitive can make demands no matter who he is, whether a “son of god” or a son of a female ‘aspin.’
He is a fugitive on the run and his days are certainly numbered. But the expenses incurred by just the mere deployment of the PNP inside the KJOC compound costs a lot of money.
Hence, I suggest that the PNP send Quiboloy the bill right after he is arrested and brought to his cell and after the photo shoot, er mugshots.
Even his lawyer Atty. Israelito Torreon, must concentrate on the court and not the media. No amount of his explanation can discount the fact that Quiboloy is a wanted man and can never be in a position to set the conditions and make demands.
By the way, have the police considered cutting the water supply and electricity in the vicinity where they believe Quiboloy is hiding with his companions?
On that note, if he really is innocent like he (they) believe he is, then why can’t he simply surrender himself and face his accusers squarely?
The option for Quiboloy is to surrender and come out in the open and present his evidence and prove his innocence, addressing the charges without any special treatment whatsoever from the government, and allow the US authorities to send him to court as well. We shall see if his god is still on his side.
-o0o-
Random Memorandum: President Elpidio Quirino was accused in 1949 of using government funds to renovate Malacañang Palace by purchasing furniture for the Presidential Palace, and linking him to alleged diamond smuggling activities. A Congressional committee rejected this complaint for lack of factual and legal basis. In 1964, President Diosdado Macapagal was accused of illegally importing rice to gather support from the people, dismissing officials, and using the military to frighten his critics. A Congressional committee dismissed the charges.
-o0o-
Factoid: Fidel Ramos won the 7-way race on May 11, 1992, narrowly defeating the popular Agrarian Reform Secretary Miriam Defensor-Santiago, but despite winning, he garnered only 23.58% of total votes, the lowest plurality in Philippine history.
(Leslie Bocobo is a former Special Assistant to the Secretary at the Office of the Press Secretary, Malacañang, and a former Public Affairs Director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources)
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