HOUSE Assistant Majority Leader and Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Jil Bongalon on Tuesday called on Vice President Sara Duterte to resign if she cannot fulfill her duties, following her absence from crucial budget deliberations while reportedly vacationing at a beach resort in Camarines Norte.
Bongalon said Duterte’s absence during the deliberations on the proposed 2025 budget for the Office of the Vice President (OVP) reflects a clear lack of interest in her responsibilities as the country’s second-highest official.
"Kung hindi na po siya interesado sa kanya pong duties and functions as the Vice President, we can ask the Vice President to step down," Bongalon said during a press conference at the House of Representatives.
He noted that House members had been waiting since Monday morning for the Vice President to attend the plenary session and assist Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, the sponsor of the OVP budget, in addressing questions from lawmakers.
However, instead of appearing, photos and videos of Duterte vacationing on Calaguas Island surfaced online, raising concerns about her absence. Reports suggest she arrived on the island Saturday and only left on Monday morning.
"In other words, ibig sabihin po nito wala talagang intensyon na dumalo sa pagdinig sa plenaryo upang i-sponsor at i-defend ang budget ng OVP. Kung meron siyang intensyon, dapat Sunday pa lang nasa Manila na siya o kaya nakipag-communicate sa office ni Cong. Adiong para mag-briefing at mapaghandaan ang mga katanungan," Bongalon said.
He further criticized Duterte for consistently missing critical budget hearings, suggesting it shows a lack of commitment to her duties as Vice President.
“In fairness, consistent naman po siya—hindi siya dumalo nung Committee on Appropriations budget hearings, at pati sa plenary ngayon. This shows she's not interested in her duties and functions as Vice President," Bongalon pointed out.
Bongalon suggested that if Duterte is no longer interested in her constitutional responsibilities, she should consider stepping down.
“Nakikita natin, hindi naman siya dumadalo sa mga pagdinig sa Kongreso. So ano ibig sabihin nito? Hindi na siya interesado at mas pinili niyang pumunta sa beach resort kaysa dumalo sa pagdinig ng kanyang budget. It's up to the Filipino people to judge the Vice President," he stressed.
Deputy Speaker and Quezon 2nd District Rep. David "Jay-jay" Suarez echoed Bongalon’s sentiment, noting that many members of the House share the same frustrations.
"That’s clearly the sentiment being shared by a lot of members," Suarez said, stressing that the Vice President’s absence is a serious breach of responsibility. "Bahagi ng trabaho ito, bahagi ng responsibilidad ito. As head of an agency, you have to go through the process."
Suarez emphasized that the issue goes beyond personal responsibility, underscoring the need to respect the office Duterte holds.
“This is not just about her, it’s about the Office of the Vice President, the second-highest office in the land. The least she can do is show up and do her job," he said.
La Union 1st District Rep. Paolo Ortega V also expressed disappointment over Duterte’s absence and the beach photos and videos that surfaced online.
"Kung totoo man po iyon, sir, mapapa-'sana all' ka na lang talaga. Kasi kami dere-derecho po ang trabaho dito sa House," Ortega said, pointing out how the Vice President’s actions raise questions about her interest in the role.
“Parang ang dating sa mga nangyayari—sa pag-snub sa hearings, sa pag-walkout, sa hindi pag-defend ng budget—parang hindi po siya interesado sa trabaho at pagiging active bilang Vice President. Baka ibang gusto niyang position,” Ortega said.
Zambales 1st District Rep. Jay Khonghun also voiced his frustration, as he cited the dedication of other lawmakers during the budget process.
"Nakaka-disappoint because we expect so much from her, at nakakalungkot dahil kami dito sa Kongreso nagtatrabaho ng hanggang madaling araw para maipasa ang mga batas," Khonghun said.
He added: "Ipinagpaliban iyong budget niya kahapon. Tapos kung totoo man, siya ay nagbi-beach samantalang kami dito nagpapakahirap para ipasa ang budget for 2025. Nakaka-frustrate."
Khonghun emphasized that Duterte should fulfill her constitutional duty to defend the OVP budget. "Sana humarap siya rito, tapusin natin ang budget hearing, at gawin niya ang kanyang mandated constitutional responsibility. Nakakalungkot na ang ating Vice President ay kinakalimutan ang kanyang trabaho para mag-beach, kung totoo man iyon," he said.
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