VP Sara says Marcos letting solons ‘evade’ accountability; Palace points to her trips abroad

Vice President Sara Duterte on Thursday accused President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. of letting lawmakers ''evade accountability'' amid issues of corruption, an allegation that was immediately slammed by Malacañang as it also condemned her trips abroad. 

In an interview in Davao City, Duterte said that while she has no reaction to the resignation of Representative Martin Romualdez as Speaker, the President should not allow congressmen to leave the country or resign from their posts amid allegations of irregularities and corruption. 

''Oh, well, wala akong reaction sa resignation niya, 'no. Meron lang akong reaction sa kung ano yung ginagawa ni BBM. Hindi niya dapat hinahayaan yung mga congressman na basta na lang umalis ng bansa o basta na lang mag-resign to evade accountability doon sa mga nakita natin na pag-chop-chop ng budget natin at pagkuha ng pera ng bayan para bumili sila ng mga properties, bumili sila ng mga jets, bumili sila ng properties abroad at lahat noong kanilang—na makikita natin sa lifestyle nila,'' Duterte said in an interview in Davao City,'' Duterte said. 

(I have no reaction to [Romualdez's] resignation. But I have a reaction to what BBM has been doing. He should not be allowing congressmen to leave the country or resign to evade accountability in relation to the use of budget and allegedly stealing public funds to purchase properties, jets, properties abroad. It can be seen in their lifestyle.) 

Asked for comment, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro pointed to the travels made by the Vice President herself, despite the allegations of corruption that she is also facing. 

''Hindi dapat kalimutan ng Bise Presidente na siya mismo ay nakakailang byahe na sa ibang bansa kung saan nakagastos na nga ang gobyerno ng P7.4 million para sa kanyang security at OVP personnel. Siya ay hinayaang makapagbiyahe kahit may kinakaharap na usapin tungkol sa corruption na parte sa Articles of Impeachment,'' Castro said.

(The Vice President should not forget that she's also leaving the country and P7.4 million was spent for her security and personnel. She was allowed to leave even though she's also accused of corruption.)

''Ano ba ang pagkakaiba ng pagbiyahe ni Representative Zaldy at ang Bise Presidente?'' she added. 

(What's the difference between the trips of Representative Zaldy [Co] and the Vice President?)

In recent months, Duterte met with the Filipino communities in Australia, Kuwait, Qatar, Malaysia, and France. She is now set to go to Japan. 

Castro also reiterated that the President initiated the investigation into the anomalous flood control projects. 

''Hindi nakakapagtaka na hindi alam ng Bise Presidente ito dahil madalas siyang wala sa Pilipinas,'' she said. 

(It's not surprising that the Vice President does not know this given that she's not in the Philippines most of the time.) 

Ako Bicol party-list Representative Zaldy Co has been linked to corruption amid issues on flood control projects. He is currently in the United States for medical treatment.

Contractors Sarah and Curlee Discaya earlier testified in the Senate that several congressmen, their staff, and officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways are allegedly involved in corruption in the country’s flood control projects.

The Discayas said that Co asked for 25% commission on the government flood control projects. However, Curlee clarified that he never had any direct transaction with the Bicolano lawmaker. 

Meanwhile, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. accused Co of forcing him to issue importation permits for fish to Co’s three companies.

Co has since denied the allegations against him.

For his part, Romualdez, whose name was also dragged into the flood control mess, also dismissed the allegations. However, when he announced his resignation during Wednesday's session, he conceded that leadership demands him to “confront the trials of the present” and build back public trust.

Castro, meanwhile, said the lawmakers have no hold departure order yet. — BM, GMA Integrated News