In a press conference on Nov. 12, leaders of the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability refuted the claim of Vice President Sara Duterte that the House probe on the budget of the Office of the Vice President is “politically motivated.”
“This is not about politics. This is about accountability and transparency,” Committee lead chair Manila Third District Rep. Joel Chua said.
“Kung wala naman po talagang wrongdoing, bakit hindi po sila dumating, at bakit hindi nalang po nila sagutin ang issue?” he said. (If there were no wrongdoings, why do they not come here and respond to the issue?)
Vice President Sara Duterte said in a press conference on Monday that the hearings were intended to discredit her office.
Chua added that it was apparent there is a cover-up of the issues being investigated by the panel.
Santa Rosa City Rep. Dan Fernandez said that Duterte, in saying the hearings were politically motivated, was using a convenient excuse for her absence.
“I think the easiest getaway, as always, is ‘politically motivated,’” he said.
With Chua and Fernandez at the press conference were Surigao del Norte Second District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, Zambales First District Rep. Jay Khonghun, Rep. Rodge Gutierrez, and Manila Sixth District Representative Bienvenido Abante.