House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan could not hide his disappointment over Vice President Sara Duterte’s absence during the plenary debates Monday on the proposed 2025 budget for the Office of the Vice President (OVP), particularly amid reports that she had been vacationing at Calaguas Island over the weekend.
“May nabasa po akong report na noong weekend nasa Calaguas Island, sa Camarines Norte. Pero weekend naman ‘yun,” Libanan told a press conference on Monday. “Ang importante ngayong araw, napakahalaga po ang budget hearing dahil ito po ‘yung pinakamalaking piece of legislation.”
Libanan emphasized the long-standing tradition that office heads personally attend such necessary budget hearings.
“Sa aking experience bilang mambabatas, ‘pag budget hearing, lahat ng heads of offices ay nag-attend. At kung hindi ka man mag-attend, kailangan may valid reason ka o magtalaga ka ng responsableng tao na tatayo para sa'yo, para ‘pag tinanong ka, may masasagot,” he stressed.
The minority leader voiced concern over Duterte’s absence, pointing out that without proper explanation, it raises questions about the transparency and accountability of her office’s budget.
“Kaya naman po ay nagtatanong pa rin kami, ‘Nasaan ang ating Vice President?’ Kanina, naka-schedule kami sa 10 o'clock, pero walang magandang explanation,” he said, clearly frustrated by the lack of communication from the OVP.
Although a staff member was sent in her place, Libanan noted that the representative did not have written authorization, which he called a critical breach of protocol in such deliberations.
Libanan underscored the importance of budget hearings in ensuring transparency, accountability and proper use of public funds.
“Sa ating trabaho, minsan stressful, minsan mahirap, pero may obligasyon tayo sa taong bayan na kung may magtatanong, harapin natin,” he pointed out. “At ang minority ay pwedeng mag-scrutinize, kumampi, mag-oppose. At the end of the day, ito ang proseso ng ating demokrasya, ng ating Konstitusyon, at ng ating batas.”
He warned that discussions on the OVP’s budget might be postponed if the Vice President continues to be absent, noting that the hearing deadline is fast approaching.
“‘Pag hindi nag-attend, idi-defer ito hanggang sa [September] 25. ‘Yung 25 ang end ng budget hearings, ma-terminate na ang period ng interpellation and debate,” he explained.
Libanan said the minority is open to reviewing any potential budget cuts for the OVP but emphasized the need for a thorough discussion and explanation from the majority.
“So far, sa news pa lang namin nakita, but we will have to study it. Pero ang importante, natatalakay namin kung sakali man talagang babawasan ay makapag-explain ang majority kung bakit babawasan,” he said.
When asked about Duterte’s repeated absences, Libanan expressed disappointment, saying the Vice President owes the public an explanation.
“Napaka-unusual po ito. Sana may magandang explanation siya at valid explanation dahil hindi pa po ito nangyayari,” he said. “Ngayon pa lang ito mangyayari sa ating budget hearing. Bago ko sabihin po ‘yan, kailangan mag-explain muna kung bakit wala siya dito.”
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