Vice President Sara Duterte refuted claims that she is a ‘spoiled brat,’ a label thrown at her following what some have described as entitled behavior during a recent budget hearing.
Duterte dismissed the accusations, stating that dissatisfaction with her responses during the hearing does not justify the name-calling.
Duterte in a recorded interview said the public knows that she does not abuse her power in all the offices she handled and that the public is her witness.
(“Kilala ako ng taumbayan na hindi ko inaabuso ang aking power and ang aking authority sa lahat ng mga opisina na nahawakan ko. Testigo ko ang buong bayan na hindi ako isang spoiled brat.”)
She went on to explain that certain members of the House of Representatives, unfamiliar with receiving answers they didn’t like, were quick to resort to personal attacks and calling her a “bratinella.”
(“Sa palagay ko, hindi lang sanay ang iilan na mga miyembro ng House of Representatives na hindi nila makuha ‘yung gusto nila at gusto nilang marinig na sagot. At hindi sanay ‘yung mga iilan na mga representatives natin na sinasagot sila sa kanilang mga patutsada. Kaya sa tingin ko, isa din itong parang atake din nila na parang: “Oh, bratinella ‘yan,” kahit na sumagot naman ako. Hindi nga lang sa gusto nila.”)
The Vice President also denied accusations that her behavior constituted an abuse of political power or authority, reiterating that she has always been transparent in her role as VP, especially concerning the budget.
She said it is important to her that the public knows the Office of the Vice President’s budget proposal.
“Napakahalaga sa akin na malaman ng taumbayan ang Office of the Vice President budget proposal,” Duterte claimed.
“Kaya nga bago kami pumunta sa Senate, bago kami pumunta sa House ay pinublish namin ‘yung budget proposal namin sa aming website sa Office of the Vice President, sa social media platforms namin, ginawa namin siyang madaling intindihin ng taumbayan, kung saan papunta ‘yung budget proposal ng Office of the Vice President,” she asserted.
Addressing allegations that she appeared reluctant to cooperate during the hearing, Duterte emphasized that some members of Congress used the opportunity as a platform to attack her due to political differences.
“Unang-una, dahil nakikita namin na ginagamit siya ng ibang mga miyembro, iilan na mga miyembro ng Kongreso para umatake sa akin dahil hindi kami magkasama sa pulitika. Pangalawa, kasi ang budget ng Pilipinas ay hawak lang ng dalawang tao,” she said.
