A House leader chided Vice President Sara Duterte for her self-assuring remarks about a potential acquittal in her looming Senate impeachment trial, when she cannot explain how her office spent millions in confidential funds in just 11 days.

According to House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs chairman Tingog Party-list Representative Jude Acidre Duterte’s confidence appears misplaced given her continued evasion of the core issue — the lack of a clear explanation on how she spent public funds.

“What’s puzzling is the arrogance of certainty coming from the Vice President,” Acidre said.

“You cannot claim vindication when you have yet to offer a full and truthful accounting of public funds entrusted to your office,” he added.

Acidre emphasized that Duterte’s repeated use of vague defenses, such as invoking national security, only deepens public suspicion rather than clearing her name.

“Public officials are stewards of taxpayer money. When questioned, the proper response is transparency, not evasion. It’s not enough to say ‘I did my job.’ She must show us how, when and where those millions were spent,” he said.

Acidre criticized Duterte’s earlier statements downplaying the seriousness of the allegations.

“The Vice President continues to treat this as a political drama. But for the people who pay their taxes every day, this is about accountability and trust,” Acidre added.

Acidre said Duterte’s optimism about her fate in the Senate may be premature, given the gravity of the accusations.

“If she truly believes in the strength of her case, then she should welcome the trial as an opportunity to lay all her cards on the table. But right now, we’re hearing a lot of posturing and very little substance,” Acidre said.

Acidre pointed out that while Duterte enjoys the right to defend herself, the burden remains with her to refute the detailed findings of the House Committee on Good Government.

“The impeachment complaint did not materialize in a vacuum. It came after exhaustive hearings, testimonies and evidence pointing to clear irregularities,” Acidre said.

“This is not a popularity contest: it is a constitutional process grounded in facts,” he added.

“Hindi sapat ang tapang sa salita. Ang kailangan ng taong-bayan ay tapang na magsabi ng totoo at magpaliwanag. Hindi nga niya maipaliwanag nang maayos kung saan napunta ang pondo,” he said.

“Walang kinalaman ang regional or personal identity sa isyung ito. Ang pinag-uusapan dito ay pananagutan ng isang opisyal na tumanggap ng pondo para sa mga sensitibong operasyon, pero walang malinaw na detalye kung paano ito ginamit,” Acidre said.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Jester P. Manalastas