OVP hits House panel over probe into fund use, budget: It’s unnecessary

MANILA, Philippines – The House of Representatives’ committee on good government and public accountability’s probe into the budget and fund utilization of the Office of the Vice President “is unnecessary” since “it does not satisfy the requirement enshrined in the Constitution” on inquiries in aid of legislation, the OVP pointed out on Thursday.

Although the OVP said it recognizes the power of the lower chamber to conduct an investigation “in aid of legislation,” it pointed out that the ongoing probe, which stemmed from the privilege speech of  Manila 2nd District Rep.Rolando Valeriano last September 3 and the motu proprio inquiry based on the manifestation of  Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville Luistro “lacks clear legislative objectives or contemplated legislation that is expected as an outcome of the deliberations.”  

“The ongoing House inquiry against the OVP cannot ensure that discussions would be germane to the subject matter right from the time of its referral and commencement of the deliberations,” it said in a statement.

“With due respect to the honorable members of the Committee, the OVP believes that in accordance with jurisprudence, the invited resource persons are under no compulsion to attend. Be that as it may, OVP officials and personnel have submitted before the Committee their replies to the invitation,” it added. 

The OVP likewise noted the attendance of Vice President Sara Duterte in the probe conducted by the panel last September 18, adding that it sent a response letter to the committee’s invitation to the September 25 hearing, stating “the reasons why the office will not be attending.”

It likewise reasoned out the office was being cautious in  discussing issues already pending before the Supreme Court since the office might “violate the rule on sub judice,” restricting “comments and disclosures pertaining to judicial proceedings.” 

“If the House panel chaired by the Hon. Joel Chua continues to conduct its own inquiry of issues already pending before the Court, this will only create the possibility of conflict between the findings of a legislative committee and the judgment of a judicial tribunal,” the OVP argued. 

“Such conflicts may unnecessarily create a CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS between the House of Representatives and the Supreme Court, which will only prejudice the stability of the nation’s democratic systems and the broader interests of the public we serve,” it added. 

Allegations can be verified via COA reports

The OVP also said that the allegations made by Valeriano in his privilege speech may be validated by the reports of the Commission on Audit — which audits government offices regularly. 

 “The data being sought by Cong. Valeriano’s in his privilege speech has already been provided during the budget deliberations in the Committee on Appropriations, and further information needed may be verified through the COA, thus, it becomes completely unnecessary for the House panel to conduct a legislative inquiry into the budget utilization and accomplishment of the OVP,” the OVP pointed out.

“For the same reasons, the congressional inquiry into these matters under audit may also unnecessarily influence the proceedings before the Commission on Audit or create conflict between the lawmakers and the state auditors since COA is an independent constitutional body vested with the primary jurisdiction over the matter, thus, on these premises alone, the inquiry should discontinue,” it concluded. 

A COA report in 2022, revealed that the OVP had an additional allotment of P125 million for confidential expenses during the second semester of the same year.

ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro, however, pointed out that the OVP had no such allocation in the 2022 General Appropriations Act, adding that its transfer was illegal. 

In September 2024, Marikina 2nd District Rep. Stella Quimbo bared that the confidential fund (CF) was spent in 11 days during the plenary debates on COA’s proposed budget for last year.