House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Party-list Representative Antonio Tinio has sharply criticized Vice President Sara Duterte, accusing her of evading accountability on the use of confidential funds while questioning the muted response of civil society and lawmakers on transparency.
In a statement, Tinio said Duterte appeared detached from reality after raising concerns about transparency, despite her repeated refusal to explain how confidential allocations were spent during her tenure at the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education.
“Talagang nabubuhay sa sariling mundo ng guni-guni itong si VP Sara Duterte,” Tinio remarked.
He pointed to Duterte’s alleged failure to account for ₱612.5 million in confidential funds, including ₱125 million reportedly spent within 11 days in December 2022.
“Nakalimutan na ba niya yung paulit-ulit na pagtanggi niyang sumagot ng anumang tanong tungkol sa kanyang budget…Yan pala ang ibig sabihin ng transparency sa kanyang mundo,” Tinio added.
The lawmaker dismissed Duterte’s claim that the issue is politically motivated, describing it as a “taktikang pusit” meant to divert attention from the core concerns about public fund usage.
He stressed that the Makabayan bloc will continue pressing for accountability from both President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Duterte over alleged corruption and misuse of government resources.
The controversy surrounding confidential funds is among the issues raised in impeachment complaints against Duterte, which are currently pending before the House Committee on Justice.