Vice President Sara Duterte personally received the invitation from the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, also known as the House Blue Ribbon panel.
The document, received by the Vice President in person, requests her attendance at a congressional hearing on November 20 to address issues regarding the questionable utilization of her P612.5 million confidential funds.
The invitation was presented to the Vice President on Wednesday at the House of Representatives, where she appeared at the Quad Comm hearing, which her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, attended to address separate inquiries.
The House Blue Ribbon panel seeks clarification on the Vice President’s use of public funds, including confidential budgets allocated to the Office of the Vice President (OVP) since she assumed office in 2022.
The inquiry, set for November 20, aims to explore the transparency and accountability of the OVP’s budgetary expenditures, particularly as questions have been raised over the unprecedented size of the confidential fund allocated to the Vice President’s office.
Concerns also involve DepEd’s failure to deliver on promised computer resources, adding to the scrutiny over VP Duterte’s management.
House members are particularly keen on understanding how the OVP’s confidential funds have been utilized, where VP Duterte’s office received a substantial confidential budget in 2023, sparking debates about whether these funds were appropriately managed.
The invitation asks VP Duterte to submit any relevant documents or position papers regarding the issues raised in PS No. 379 ahead of the Nov. 20 hearing. The panel also urged her to provide written communications if she is unable to attend, ensuring transparency and documentation for the congressional records.
At the Quad Comm hearing Wednesday, Vice President Duterte’s receipt and signing of the invitation was seen as a signal of her readiness to respond to the inquiries.
The hearing, which was already in the spotlight due to the appearance of former President Duterte, saw both Dutertes face significant questions about their past and present actions in public office.
