LEADERS of Young Guns bloc are demanding an apology from Vice President Sara Duterte for allegedly lying to the Filipino people after reports revealed that she was still in Calaguas Island on Monday morning, the scheduled day of her office’s plenary budget deliberation in the House of Representatives.
House Assistant Majority Leaders Paolo Ortega V of La Union and Jay Khonghun of Zambales criticized the Vice President’s dishonesty, calling it conduct unbecoming of a public official, especially one holding the second highest position in the land.
“The Vice President owes the Filipino people an explanation and an apology. This is not the kind of leadership we deserve – where the truth is hidden and lies are told to cover it up,” Ortega said, pointing out that this was not a trivial matter as public trust is critical in government leadership.
Khonghun agreed, stressing the importance of honesty and transparency for public officials.
"This is conduct unbecoming of any public official, especially the Vice President of the Philippines. Honesty should be a non-negotiable trait for anyone who holds office," Khonghun stated.
He expressed disappointment in Duterte for disregarding her duties at a time when critical budget deliberations were ongoing.
Ortega also expressed outrage, noting that Duterte’s dishonesty is particularly alarming given her earlier controversial statement in 2019 saying honesty should not be an issue during elections when she defended her candidates under the regional party Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) accused of dishonesty and corruption.
He pointed out that such a mindset is damaging to public trust, saying "Kung hindi tapat ang isang opisyal sa bayan, paano natin sila pagkakatiwalaan? The Vice President’s actions reflect a deep disregard for her responsibility to the Filipino people.”
Netizens has nicknamed VP Duterte as “SWOH,” which at first meant “Sara without H” that quickly became “Sara without honesty” after her controversial statement on honesty.
The lawmakers emphasized that while no one expects perfection from public officials, honesty and accountability are the least the public can expect.
“When you’re caught in a lie, the best course of action is to apologize, not to make excuses,” Khonghun added, challenging Duterte to face the consequences of her actions.
The controversy erupted after it was revealed through police reports that Duterte had indeed spent time on Calaguas Island while her office's budget was being debated in the House of Representatives.
Despite initial denials from the Vice President’s camp that she was on the road on Monday, further details surfaced, including eyewitness accounts and social media posts from locals, confirming her presence on the island.
"This is about integrity. If she cannot be honest about something as simple as her whereabouts, how can we trust her on more important matters?" Khonghun said, calling VP Duterte’s actions a serious breach of public trust that demands a swift and sincere apology.
Ortega further criticized Duterte’s handling of the issue, noting that her refusal to face the situation head-on is damaging to the institution she represents.
“Ang pagiging bise presidente ay hindi lang tungkol sa posisyon; ito ay tungkol sa integridad at tiwala. This dishonesty tarnishes the office she holds,” Ortega said.
The lawmakers stressed that Duterte’s actions set a dangerous precedent for other public officials, allowing a culture of impunity and dishonesty to thrive if left unchecked.
"If we allow our leaders to get away with lying, what message does that send to the rest of the government and to the public?" Ortega asked.
They also urged Duterte to reflect on her role as Vice President and its significance, particularly in setting an example for future leaders.
“The Vice President should set the bar for public service, not lower it,” Khonghun stated, reminding Duterte of the weight her position carries.
Public apology, Khonghun said, is not just expected, it is necessary for public trust.
Another “Young Guns” solon, 1Rider Party-list Rep. Rodge Gutierrez, refuted claims made by Vice President Sara Duterte that she didn’t let officials and members of the House of Representatives wait for 17 hours during her office’s scheduled plenary budget deliberations last Monday.
“If we take note, the contents of the letter is a reiteration of the answer that they interposed even for the pre-budget deliberations,” Gutierrez said, referring to the Sept. 11 letter the Office of the Vice President sent to budget sponsor, Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong.
The gist of this letter was the same as the one Duterte sent to the House committee on appropriations headed by Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, prior to its committee level approval and prior to sending it to plenary for further deliberations.
“In other words, she only repeated that she is leaving it to the House to decide on the fate of her budget. However, it does not say that she will not participate with our processes,” the 1Rider party-list congressman, a lawyer, explained further.
“It does not say that she will not attend, it does not say that she will send an authorized representative, so I don’t think the Sept. 11 letter would be any indication of what transpired Monday. So, I don’t think we could have been prepared,” Gutierrez stressed.
In a Facebook post Tuesday evening, the OVP branded as “fake news” Kabataan Rep. Raoul Manuel’s claim they waited for 17 hours, posting the single-page letter they sent Adiong, which his office received on Sept. 16, when House plenary deliberations have started.
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