Opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros has issued a sharp rebuke to Vice President Sara Duterte’s recent statements, creating quite the spectacle on social media.
The dispute revolves around the use of confidential funds and the transparency of government finances, with both politicians firing salvos at each other.
Hontiveros responded to Duterte’s earlier social media post where the Vice President thanked President Bongbong Marcos Jr. and other government officials for defending her office’s confidential funds and lashing out at her critics.
Hontiveros, known for her no-nonsense approach, minced no words in her comeback.
“Trabaho lang, walang drama,” Hontiveros retorted, setting the stage for a heated exchange.
Duterte’s initial salvo did not mince words either, as she quipped, “Hontiveros, who amuses the nation with her flair for drama, could only wish the 2022 OVP CF was accessed illegally.”
Hontiveros didn’t hold back and responded with gusto, saying, “Hindi kayo special,” and adding, “If you’re so confident about those confidential funds, then defend them publicly.”
The Senator, known for her fiery rhetoric, took a jab at the standards within the Office of the Vice President, saying, “Napakababa na yata ng standards ngayon sa OVP. Gagawin mo lang ang trabaho mo, ‘amusing’ na agad?”
She continued her onslaught, criticizing the lack of transparency in the allocation of these funds, “Kung meron mang ‘amusing,’ yan ay yung halos kalahating oras na turo-turo, pag-iwas sa tanong, paikot-ikot na sagot, at pagbabalu-baluktot ng sitwasyon. Ginawa nilang perya ang basic na proseso ng pagbusisi ng pera ng bayan.”
Hontiveros firmly defended her stance on the legality of the funds’ transfer, saying, “Hindi ko kailangang mag-‘wish’ na na-access ng opisina niyo nang ilegal ang confidential funds. Dalawang former Senate President na ang nagsabi — Sen. Drilon at Sen. Pimentel — na yung paglipat ng pondo mula OP to OVP ay ilegal at unconstitutional.”
The Senator also posed a critical question, “At higit sa usapin ng batas, huwag ilihis sa tunay na issue: Si Vice President Duterte lang – bilang VP at Secretary ng DepEd – ang may confidential funds na mas malaki pa sa combined confidential funds ng DND at NICA. Bakit ba kailangan niya ng napakalaking pondo na walang audit o disclosure sa publiko?”
Not content with just this exchange, Duterte turned her attention to Representative France Castro and the Makabayan bloc in Congress, accusing them of spreading falsehoods. Duterte commented, “It’s a shame they still cannot produce any proof to support their dirty imagination.”
Hontiveros, determined to have the last word, emphasized the importance of competence in handling fiscal matters, urging a more transparent national budget. “Given the significant responsibility of government officials, I demand a shred of competence when it comes to fiscal matters– like any Filipino taxpayer.”
The Daily Netizen 
[…] their heated exchange two weeks ago, Hontiveros has come up with a new moniker for the vice president, one that questions the […]
LikeLike