Vice President Sara Duterte made a surprise appearance but refused to take her oath during a hearing on the House Good Government committee.
At the start of the hearing on Wednesday, September 18, the present resource persons asked for Sara Duterte’s oath: “Do you solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? So help you, God?”
The question is part of the standard operating procedures. However, Duterte questioned the legitimacy of the probe.
“Witnesses lang po ang ino-oath. Sabi ninyo sa amin ngayon, resource persons kami,” Duterte stated.
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Manila 3rd District Representative Joel Chua, the present committee chairman, responded to her statement, saying, “We consider everyone a resource person and witness.”
Soon after, former president and Pampanga 2nd District Representative Gloria Macapagal Arroyo came to Duterte’s defense.
“They’re not the same; the Supreme Court says they are not the same,” Arroyo argued to the Committee. “Somebody who appears to be the accused has a different tier of protection from a witness and, in fact, can refuse to take the witness stand.”
The Committee was planning to discuss a lawmaker’s privilege speech on the Vice President’s misuse of public funds. However, Duterte’s presence and the appearances of her allies were stated to have underscored the importance of the hearing.
Vice President Sara Duterte herself brought up concerns that the alleged privilege speech was part of an elaborate plot to push for her impeachment and impact her future presidential run.
Sara Duterte said, “I will not let anyone subject me to an inquiry based on an empty privilege speech, just so you can attack me and attempt indirectly what you failed to do directly during the budget hearings.” “You may try to destroy me. You can skin me alive, burn me, and throw my ashes to the wind. But let it be known: You will find me unbowed.”
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Several House lawmakers have immediately criticized Duterte for refusing to take the oath. They believe that she is intentionally dodging the procedure an an effort to hide the truth.
The situation of the Vice president with the House of Representatives has gone downhill in recent months. Criticism surrounding Sara Duterte is piling up. It began with her resignation as DepEd Chief in June and continued with her recent clash with Senator Hontiveros.
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