20 Agosto 2024 Martes
Happy third birthday with father God Cynthia Lopez
Register now and vote in midterm polls
supports Agosto 2024, Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa
Aspirants file your certificate of candidacy on October 1-8,2024
Substitute candidates must be with same surname and political party
Partylist must file Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance
No to Divorce!!!
Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez
No to SOGIE bill
PM for any hospital discharge problem
watch for the coming “Gamefowl Quest”
Duterte, Hontiveros trade barbs vs children’s book
By Nidz Godino
“Another example of politicizing budget of government…itong sinabi ni Senator Risa Hontiveros na at proper time, she’ll make motion to lodge requested budget of OVP to other agencies,” Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio and Sen. Risa Hontiveros butted heads over P10 million worth of item: children’s book.
Office of the Vice President (OVP) has budget proposal of P2.037 billion for 2025. During budget hearing on OVP’s proposed budget, exchange between Hontiveros and Duterte began amicably.
Hontiveros asked Duterte about OVP’s programs appeared to be similar to functions of other government agencies. OVP had programs such as medical and burial assistance, as well as livelihood support.
Opposition senator said Duterte’s programs were similar to existing programs of Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health and Department of Labor and Employment.
Duterte replied these were merely programs requested by public from her office. To which Hontiveros thanked the vice president and suggested for budget allocated for OVP’s projects to be put into line agencies that are aligned with these programs instead.
However, things soured when Hontiveros said she will make motion to lodge OVP’s proposed program budgets into line agencies. OVP could then request allocation from them.
Before Duterte could reply to this, Hontiveros went on to ask about “Pagbabago Campaign”. Campaign involves distributing bags to one million students, contains children’s book authored by the vice president called “Isang Kaibigan” or “A Friend”. Hontiveros asked Duterte what the book was about. In response, the vice president said she would like to rebut what Hontiveros earlier said.
The vice president brought up old statement from Hontiveros criticizing her and her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte. Hontiveros previously said that while vice president is in power, threat of the Dutertes’ return to full power remains.
“Walang kinalaman sa kasasabi lang ng VP ngayon…alam nating lahat na miyembro ng iba’t-ibang partido… ‘yung speeches natin sa ating mga ka-miyembro, sa party Congresses, ay hiwalay na event dito sa budget debates,” Hontiveros said.
Hontiveros further pressed about children’s book, asking what it was about, how much it was and how many will be distributed. Duterte replied that book was not for sale and only publication will be paid. She said copy of the book will be sent to Hontiveros.
However, the vice president still did not state what the book was about, its cost and total distribution. Hontiveros repeated her question.
“Madame Chair, this is an example of politicizing budget hearing through questions of senator,” Duterte said.
Duterte accused Hontiveros of having problem with the book, since it will have Duterte’s name on it and children’s parents would be potential voters. She said she will send copy of the book to everyone in the room.
“Hindi ko maintindihan ang ugali ng ating resource person…it is simple question: paulit-ulit na ‘this is politicizing’…ang VP ang nagbanggit ng salitang ‘boboto’, wala akong sinabing ‘boboto’,” Duterte said.
“We’re making so much trouble, so much fuss about P10 million item,” Hontiveros stressed.
Duterte also said she does not understand Hontiveros’ attitude. She alleged that Hontiveros went to Davao and asked for vice president’s help during 2022 elections by securing several barangays for her.
At this point, Sen. Grace Poe, as chairperson of Committee on Finance, stepped in. She said that while she understood there was history between Hontiveros and Duterte, she wanted to stick to budget. She asked Duterte to simply summarize what book was about.
“Explanation is in the title, ‘Isang Kaibigan’.” It’s about friendship,” Duterte said.
Hontiveros said that Duterte should have simply answered right away instead of spinning tale.
“Budget hearing po ito…hindi po lahat about you,” Hontiveros said.
After heated exchange between Duterte and Hontiveros, OVP’s budget has been submitted to plenary.
For the first time since Duterte’s term, OVP did not pursue confidential funds. In 2022, OVP spent its P125 million confidential funds in just 11 days.
OVP attempted to request for confidential funds but failed to secure requested allocation amounting to P500 million in 2023.
ISKUP! 