Marcoleta calls out lawmakers for not giving courtesy to OVP

VP Sara Duterte composite image from Inquirer stock and House of Representatives of the Philippines photos

MANILA, Philippines — Sagip party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta on Tuesday called out lawmakers for not observing the tradition of giving courtesy to the Office of the Vice President (OVP), as the appropriations panel proceeded to discuss the agency’s proposed budget without Vice President Sara Duterte.

After lawmakers delayed the hearing for an hour to wait for any OVP representative, Marikina 2nd District Rep. Stella Quimbo decided to start the deliberations without Duterte or any official from the OVP.

Marcoleta then made a motion to terminate the deliberations and give parliamentary courtesy to the OVP.  This was, however, objected to by several lawmakers.

“Parliamentary procedures grow from or are enriched by tradition, experiences, and precedence, collectively gathered by the House of Representatives over the years, and the institution keeps them well.  That is why from my entry in 2004 or in the 13th Congress until today, I have observed the observance of that well-kept tradition: the two highest positions in government namely the Office of the President and [OVP] were duly accorded with respect,” Marcoleta said.

“Up to 2023, we have kept the tradition. Now, several questions have been raised. In 2023, 22 minutes; 2022, 13 minutes. We have been fighting about the budget earlier, and now we are about to quarrel again on the budget,” he added.

Marcoleta also asked what answer the panel needed from Duterte, when she had already waived her chance to answer questions from lawmakers.

“The Vice President skipped the hearing, I suppose it was because of what happened during the last hearing.  I have heard the volume and the barrage of questions asked by members of this committee to the Vice President. Despite the fact Madam Chair, I heard her several times saying ‘I forgo the opportunity of defending the OVP budget for 2025 by question and answer, and I leave it to the House of Representatives to decide on such a proposal as presented’,” Marcoleta said.

“My question now, because of what happened to the budget of the [OVP], and despite her manifestation that she will no longer defend her budget … we cannot even accept such kind of answer Madam Chair?  What do we need her to articulate?  Is there no respect for this tradition now?” he asked.

Because of the objection to Marcoleta’s motion, Quimbo divided the House, which led to the motion being overruled 45 to 3.  The three lawmakers who voted in favor of terminating the OVP budget deliberations are Marcoleta, Davao City 3rd District Rep. Isidro Ungab, and Davao Occidental Rep. Claude Bautista.

Duterte did not show up to the House hearing on the OVP’s proposed budget, sending a letter instead to Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co to say that they have submitted all necessary documents.

READ: VP Sara skips House hearing on 2025 OVP budget, sends letter instead

Minority lawmakers like Gabriela party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas slammed Duterte for her absence.

“She may not like being questioned about the OVP expenses. She may not like sitting with us here in the House. But Madam Chair, she is accountable to the people, and she has a sworn duty to the Constitution as the head of the agency to be here para ipagtanggol o malaman natin ang budget niya (to defend or so we can be informed about the budget),” the lawmaker said.

The OVP’s proposed budget is being discussed at the appropriations panel as of posting time as the deliberations last August 27 were deferred.

READ: OVP budget deferred after Duterte evades questions at House hearing 

Lawmakers deferred the OVP’s budget because Duterte did not provide direct answers to their questions, particularly regarding the confidential fund (CF).

She replied either by saying that she forgoes the opportunity to defend the budget in a question-and-answer format or by insisting that the OVP has already coordinated with the Commission on Audit (COA) regarding the notice of disallowance on the P73 million out of the P125-million CF for 2022.

READ: Squid tactics? Castro scores VP Sara for deflecting secret fund issue 

The OVP is requesting a P2.037-billion allocation for 2025 — higher than any budget received by Duterte’s predecessor, former Vice President Leni Robredo.

On Monday, Duterte said she is not a brat, noting that lawmakers just did not like her answers.

READ: Sara Duterte: I’m not a brat, solons just don’t like my answers