DEPUTY Speaker and Quezon Rep. David “Jay-jay” Suarez urged Vice President Sara Duterte to stop misleading the public with sweeping allegations of corruption, saying her statements appear to be part of a deliberate effort to deflect attention from the credible and well-documented charges against her in the Articles of Impeachment.

“Walang kahit anong batayan ang paratang ng korapsyon laban sa House leadership. Ang tunay na isyu ay ang confidential funds na ginastos ni Vice President Sara Duterte sa loob lamang ng 11 araw, at kung bakit ang mga recipient ay may pangalan na tila kathang-isip—gaya nina ‘Mary Grace Piattos,’ ‘Jay Kamote,’ ‘Xiaome Ocho,’ at kung sinu-sino pang mukhang gawang pangalan lang. Ito ang dapat niyang ipaliwanag, hindi ang pagbibintang sa iba,” Suarez said in a statement.

Suarez made the remarks in response to the Vice President’s recent statements in Cagayan de Oro City, where she questioned the leadership of Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez and claimed that alleged corruption had already caused irreparable harm to the national budget.

The House leader clarified that there is no finding from the Commission on Audit (COA) or any independent agency that implicates the Speaker or the House of Representatives in any form of corruption.

By contrast, Suarez pointed out that the allegations against Vice President Duterte are based on official COA findings and disbursement records.

The impeachment complaint accuses her of authorizing the release of P125 million in confidential funds over a span of just 11 days in December 2022, before the Office of the Vice President was legally authorized to use such funds under the 2023 General Appropriations Act.

She is also alleged to have approved P112.5 million in confidential fund spending while serving as Secretary of the Department of Education, with liquidation reports identifying supposed intelligence recipients with implausible names like “Pampano,” “Jay Kamote,” and “Mary Grace Piattos”—none of whom appear in any legitimate government records.

“These are not mere political statements—they are findings backed by audit reports, official documents, and sworn statements. The Vice President owes the public a clear and honest explanation. If she believes in transparency, she should welcome the opportunity to respond to these charges in the Senate,” Suarez said.

He stressed that the integrity of public service requires accountability from all officials, regardless of position.

“This is not about personalities or politics. This is about the responsible and lawful use of public funds. The Filipino people deserve no less,” Suarez said.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Jester P. Manalastas