Sara Duterte slams ‘continuing corruption’ in gov’t spending, anomalies in budget

Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday condemned the “continuing corruption” in government infrastructure spending, pointing out that anomalies have been found in multiple budgets but officials have not yet been held liable.

“Alam na natin na mayroong problema sa budget. Alam na natin kung sino yung mga tao na may kagagawan noong anomalya, pero hanggang ngayon ay wala pa rin nananagot,” Duterte said in an ambush interview.

(We already know there’s a problem in the budget. We already know the persons behind the anomalies, but no one has been held accountable.)

She claimed that issues were discovered not only in the 2025 budget but as early as 2023.

“Nalalaman natin hindi lang ‘yung 2025 budget ang mayroong problema — 2024, as early as 2023 ay mayroon nang nakitang mga anomalya,” she said.

(We learned that not only the 2025 budget, but also the 2024 and even 2023 budgets had anomalies.)

Duterte said the creation of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) may have been meant to divert attention.

“Mukhang yung sinasabi ng Independent Commission for Infrastructure ay ginawa lamang para kontrolin yung istorya, kontrolin yung narrative sa corruption scandal,” she said.

(It seems the so-called Independent Commission for Infrastructure was created only to control the story and the narrative around the corruption scandal.)

In October, the Vice President questioned the creation of the ICI by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., claiming it was only established to push for Marcos’ narratives.

She also expressed confidence that she won’t be implicated in the flood control mess being probed by the ICI, as she claimed that some quarters are trying to drag her and her political allies into the controversy. 

SALN

Meanwhile, Duterte said she is open to releasing her Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN), after the Akbayan Party-list asked the Office of the Ombudsman to make public the SALNs of the President and Vice President.

“Ini-expect ko ay ibigay sa kanila ng Ombudsman dahil kasama naman niyan sa narrative ng — narrative ng mga yellow, ng mga pink, ng Akbayan, ng Makabayan, at ng Marcos administration yung paghahabol sa akin,” she said. 

(I expect the Ombudsman to release it, since it’s part of the narrative of the yellows, the pinks, Akbayan, Makabayan, and even the Marcos administration.)

Duterte said her SALN is already part of the impeachment complaint filed against her.

“In fact, doon sa impeachment complaint makikita ninyo na isa doon sa Articles of Impeachment ay ang aking SALN,” she added.

(In fact, in the impeachment complaint, one of the articles is my SALN.)

Trust ratings

Meanwhile, Duterte said her office will continue its programs and services regardless of fluctuations in her approval and trust ratings.

Duterte made the statement in response to recent surveys showing mixed public sentiment toward her performance.

“Patuloy pa rin kami sa Tanggapan ng Pangalawang Pangulo, patuloy pa rin yung trabaho namin,” she said.

(We at the Office of the Vice President will continue our work.)

She emphasized that public service should not be influenced by political popularity or survey numbers.

“Tumaas man o bumaba man ang approval ratings, tumaas man o bumaba man ang trust ratings, ay nandun pa rin ang obligasyon namin na magtrabaho para sa ating bayan at magserbisyo,” Duterte said.

(Whether our approval or trust ratings rise or fall, our obligation to serve the nation remains.) — JMA/RSJ, GMA Integrated News