VICE PRESIDENT Sara Duterte said her staff has been unduly affected by the ongoing political attacks against her.
In a press briefing held on Nov. 20, 2024, the vice president lamented the human cost of the political attacks she faces. She pointed out that the relentless pursuit to tarnish her reputation already negatively impacted the lives and careers of her staff.
“My colleagues in the OVP, as you can see, are truly suffering. Because of the persecution against me, because of the relentless pursuit to discredit me, their work has been affected, and their reputations have been dragged into this,” VP Duterte said.
The vice president underscored the importance of one’s name and reputation, stating, “A person’s greatest treasures are their character and their name. These are not things that can easily be replaced.”
Duterte’s remarks came amid a series of House committee hearings into the alleged misuse of the confidential funds of the OVP and the Department of Education under her term as a secretary. She has consistently denied these accusations, maintaining her innocence.
House speaker tells VP to attend hearings
Meanwhile, House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez issued a direct challenge to Duterte on Thursday, Nov. 21, to testify under oath at a House hearing regarding the alleged misuse of confidential funds.
Romualdez said that given the nature of the allegations, Duterte is the only one who can provide a clear and accurate account of how the funds were utilized.
“She should come forward and explain to the public what happened to those confidential funds. That’s why she should talk and not her officials in the OVPs. She’s the one who should talk,” Romualdez added.
Screenshot photo of Rhoda Grace B Saron
