Vice President Sara Duterte asked to replace Marikina City Rep. Stella Quimbo with a new chairman of the house committee. This would be the first attempt by a vice president to choose who presides over the questioning of their proposed budget. This action also led to a face-off.
Stella Quimbo called out the Vice President for the latter’s demand to replace her with another lawmaker. This came after Rep. France Castro was requested to cease her questioning about Sara Duterte’s confidential funds back in 2022.
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“I request that the chairperson of the finance committee preside over this hearing,” Duterte said during the Congress mid-hearing. Quimbo responded with: “With all due respect, you have. You cannot introduce a motion, Madam Vice President. The rules do not allow it. You are a resource person.”
As Duterte refused to answer further questions, Quimbo said, “Just please answer the question. The issue of confidential funds falls squarely within our discussion of the 2025 budget.”
Duterte sought the opportunity to defend her budget from further questioning. However, Quimbo did not allow her to do so, leading to tense interactions during the session. Along the way, Quimbo called for order to prevent the present House members from exchanging insults.
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Sara Duterte rebuked Stella Quimbo for refusing to grant her request to skip the necessary process. The Vice President interrupted her constantly, accusing lawmakers of allowing Makabayan legislators to comment against her.
During the hearing, Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo defended Duterte. She asked the committee questions about Sara Duterte’s confidential funds and how “extensively discussed” the subject was.
“We note that. But of course we know that ‘yung pondo ng 2023 ay pwede pa ring maging continuing appropriation hanggang 2024,” Quimbo responded.
“In the same way 2022 pwedeng maging continuing pa rin ng 2023… It’s a big amount of money.”
“It’s no longer possible to use tactics like that… When the squid resists, it releases black ink. We don’t want that, Madam Chair. What we are talking about here is the budget,” France Castro stated.
“The Office of the Vice President should not behave like a squid.”
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