SHE WON鈥橳 LEAVE. Vice President Sara Duterte accompanies her chief of staff Atty. Zuleika Lopez as they leave St. Luke鈥檚 Medical Center in Quezon City on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in a tense episode in the standoff that started Friday night between Duterte and the House leaders who earlier ordered Lopez detained. 鈥� NI脩O JESUS ORBETA
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� House Deputy Majority Leader and La Union 1st District Rep. Paolo Ortega V on Sunday criticized Vice President Sara Duterte鈥檚 鈥渞ecent outbursts and dramatic behavior,鈥� urging her to face the probe into the alleged misuse of her office鈥檚 confidential fund (CF).
In a statement, Ortega said Duterte should explain how she spent the Office of the Vice President鈥檚 (OVP) CF instead of 鈥渞esorting to theatrics that for the most part made no sense.鈥�
鈥淚f she is capable of making bold statements that seem nonsensical, then she should also be able to face the Blue Ribbon Committee and explain the use of the P612.5-million confidential funds. Enough with the drama and trickery,鈥� Ortega said in Filipino.
Last Friday night, Duterte revealed during an online press conference that she had instructed an individual to kill President Ferdinand 鈥淏ongbong鈥� Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez if she were to be killed.
鈥淚 already talked to a person. I told the person, 鈥業f they kill me, kill Bongbong Marcos, Liza Araneta, and Martin Romualdez.鈥� No joke, no joke. I鈥檝e left instructions,鈥� she said in Filipino.
Malaca帽ang announced on Saturday that the Vice President鈥檚 remark constitutes an 鈥渁ctive threat鈥� and has been referred to the Presidential Security Command for 鈥渋mmediate proper action.鈥�
READ: Sara Duterte鈥檚 kill remark vs Marcos is 鈥榓ctive threat鈥� 鈥� Palace
Ortega stressed that such behavior is 鈥渦nbecoming of a vice president.鈥�
鈥淚nstead of making seemingly unintelligible threats, she should use that energy to clarify the serious allegations surrounding her office,鈥� he added.
He also pointed out that if Duterte had nothing to hide, she would have the courage to face the Blue Ribbon Committee and attend the hearings on the OVP鈥檚 CF.
鈥淭his is her chance to show the Filipino people that she values accountability and governance. If you鈥檙e brave with your words, I hope you鈥檒l also be brave in providing an explanation,鈥� he said.
READ: VP Duterte declines invite to House hearing
鈥淧ublic accountability is not a performance. It鈥檚 about honesty, integrity, and respect for the rule of law. Enough with the drama, face the Blue Ribbon committee.鈥�
READ: House probe retraces bulk withdrawals of confidential funds