Vice President Sara Duterte should resign if she has no intention of fulfilling her duties as the official holding the second highest position in government, House solons said yesterday.
“If she is no longer interested in her duties and functions as vice president, we can ask her to step down,” Rep. Jil Bongalon (Ako Bicol Party) said at a press conference.
Bongalon was referring to Duterte’s refusal to attend the proceedings for the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) proposed 2025 budget.
Rep. Jay-Jay Suarez (Quezon, 2nd District) also said the sentiments expressed by lawmakers are also shared by other House members because it is a government official’s job to show up.
“This is not about her, this is about the Office of the Vice President, the second highest position of the land. And you have to show respect and due courtesy to that office and to simply show up and do your work. I think it’s the least that she can do for the Office of the Vice President,” Suarez added.
Since the House budget proceedings are scheduled to end on today, 1-Rider Party-list Rep. Rodge Gutierrez said the lower chamber “will be extending maximum leniency” to the OVP.
Gutierrez agreed that Duterte’s refusal to attend the plenary deliberations could be seen as a betrayal of public trust.
While betrayal of public trust is a recognized ground for impeachment, Gutierrez clarified that the House of Representatives is not currently considering any impeachment proceedings against the Vice President.
Gutierrez explained the concept of public trust, citing the responsibility that comes with holding a high office, especially when it involves defending the budget before Congress.
“Our concept of voting, this is where the concept of public trust comes from. When we vote, we, as the public repose our trust and confidence that the official will uphold his or her constitutionally mandated duties,” Gutierrez said.
He continued: “So when an official who is supposed to appear before the House and defend his or her budget fails to do so, to an extent, betrayal of public trust ‘yan (that is). That is true. It is the betrayal of the duty, the constitutional duty for his or her part in the budget process.”
Gutierrez supported Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel, who had earlier manifested in plenary that Duterte’s absence was a “clear betrayal of public trust,” as all elected officials are accountable to the public and must address concerns of public interest.
Assistant Majority Leader and Zambales Rep. Jay Khonghun also downplayed any impeachment talk, saying that it is not on the agenda in the House.
“Well, the impeachment of the Vice President is not discussed here in the House. Just like what Cong Jay-jay said earlier, we respect the [OVP] and we are giving much leeway to our Vice President to defend her budget,” he said.
He emphasized that the majority remains focused on passing the 2025 national budget on time, including the OVP budget.
