TWO lawmakers on Tuesday called on Vice President Sara Duterte to personally attend the Nov. 20 House panel inquiry, arguing that her sworn affidavit is insufficient to address lingering questions about the budget utilization of her office and the Department of Education (DepEd) under her leadership.
“Her sworn affidavit is not enough. Some committee members have a lot of questions that we would also want to clarify with her,” said House Blue Ribbon Committee Chair Rep. Joel Chua during a press briefing.
Duterte, however, previously stated that she would not attend the hearing, calling it a “waste of her time.”
“They already invited me during the first hearing and I went there. I was sitting, and they did not ask me questions. My time was being wasted,” Duterte said, referencing her earlier appearance at the inquiry, where she notably refused to take an oath before testifying.
Taguig Rep. Amparo Maria Zamora, who also serves as House assistant majority leader, urged the vice president to reconsider her decision, pointing out her prior attendance at a House QuadComm hearing to accompany her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, during discussions on the drug war killings under his administration.
“If she was able to come here last week, she should be able to go here tomorrow,” Zamora said. She emphasized that while the committee accepts sworn affidavits, Duterte’s presence would allow her to address concerns directly.
“Even though she said she won’t come, we hope she’ll arrive tomorrow so that she can answer pertinent questions,” Zamora added. “If she doesn’t and relies solely on her affidavit, she loses the chance to clarify these issues. If she can defend herself, she should come.”
Duterte’s decision to attend the Nov. 20 hearing could prove critical as lawmakers continue to scrutinize the budget allocations for her office and the DepEd.