VICE President Sara Duterte’s refusal to take an oath to tell the truth during last week’s congressional inquiry will not set a precedent for future inquiries, the chairperson of the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability declared.
Manila Rep. Joel Chua emphasized that the rules of the House of Representatives require all witnesses and resource persons to testify under oath to ensure transparency and truthfulness in their testimonies.
"Lahat ang witnesses at resource persons po ay nire-require po natin sila na mag-take ng oath para malaman po natin kung sila ay nagsasabi ng totoo at pawang katotohanan lamang," Chua stated, reaffirming that this practice is mandated by the Rules of Procedure Governing Inquiries in Aid of Legislation.
The oath is usually given to all those invited as resource persons and witnesses in congressional hearings.
It simply states: “Do you solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth (in this inquiry)? So help you, God.”
Breaking the rules and traditions, Duterte during last Wednesday hearing refused to take the oath to tell the truth at the start of a House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability hearing on the alleged misuse by her office of millions in funds for socio-economic programs.
Even former President Joseph Estrada and the late Presidents Fidel Ramos and Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III took their oath when invited as resource persons during a congressional inquiry.
Chua explained that the committee's decision to allow VP Duterte to speak without taking the oath was out of respect for her office and such a courtesy will not be extended to others in future hearings.
"Hindi po ibig sabihin na ito pong insidente dahil hinayaan po natin ay magiging precedent na sa mga susunod na mga committee hearings. Hindi po mangyayari yan," he said, stressing that all other witnesses will be required to take an oath as per House rules.
The hearing was called to investigate the alleged misuse of funds by the Office of the Vice President (OVP), particularly regarding its confidential and socioeconomic funds.
Chua further stated that the refusal to take an oath could be grounds for contempt under normal circumstances.
"In fact, ito po ay isang ground para ang mga witnesses ay ma-cite for contempt. Pero dahil sa paggalang sa opisina ng ating bise-presidente, ito ay i-ooverlook po natin at palalagpasin po natin," he explained.
He also underscored that the committee's leniency in this instance was an exception, and not a deviation from established rules.
"Pinayagan po natin ang ating kagalang-galang na vice president na hindi po mag-take ng oath... dahil po sa pagbigay po natin ng respeto sa posisyon at sa opisina na kanya pong nirerepresenta bilang vice president," he said.
Chua reiterated that future witnesses and resource persons in committee hearings will still be required to take an oath to ensure the integrity of their testimonies.
"Ito po ay nakalagay po sa ating Rules … para malaman po natin na ang mga testimonya at impormasyon na kanila pong binibigay sa atin ay totoo at maaasahan po ng komite at ng august body," Chua said.
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