The uncomfortable truth VP Sara must face

Vice President Sara Duterte seems to have made a significant misstep by refusing to take an oath before the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability. Her decision may have satisfied her core supporters, but it did little to inspire confidence among the broader public. Her reluctance to swear to tell the truth casts a shadow over her integrity and raises questions that demand answers.

In a country where public officials are expected to adhere to high standards of accountability, Duterte’s refusal to take an oath is not only unprecedented but deeply troubling. Previous leaders, including former Presidents Fidel Ramos, Joseph Estrada, and Benigno Aquino III, took the oath without hesitation when summoned to similar hearings. Duterte, however, seemed to believe she was above this basic requirement of transparency. Was it entitlement? Or a fear of facing the truth?

This is not just a ceremonial issue. It goes to the heart of public accountability. Zambales Representative Jefferson Khonghun put it succinctly: “If there’s nothing to hide, why not take the oath?” The refusal to take this simple step makes one wonder what the Vice President is trying to avoid. What’s so dangerous about the truth that it cannot be sworn under oath?

Her behavior during the hearing did little to dispel these doubts. After questioning the need for an oath and criticizing the committee, Duterte abruptly left. This act of defiance left a bitter taste for those who expect their leaders to show respect for democratic institutions and processes.

More importantly, the hearing brought to light serious issues regarding the use of public funds. The Commission on Audit (COA) has flagged nearly half of the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) P500 million in confidential and intelligence funds as questionable. This is not a small sum. This is money that could have gone to vital social services, but instead, it’s now shrouded in uncertainty and suspicion.

The COA’s findings are damning. In just seven months, the OVP spent all P500 million, with P73 million disallowed and another P164 million under scrutiny. This is not just about accounting errors or minor lapses. This is about potential misuse or mismanagement of public funds on a large scale.

Congress has taken note. The House Committee on Appropriations has recommended slashing the OVP’s budget by over a billion pesos, reallocating these funds to social services. This is a clear sign that lawmakers are not satisfied with Duterte’s evasions and demand a full accounting. The Vice President owes the Filipino people an explanation. The disallowed funds include payments for “various goods” and “medicines” under the guise of “reward payments.” How were these funds used? Were they spent effectively, or were they wasted?

It’s not just the OVP under scrutiny. The Department of Education (DepEd), which Duterte led as Secretary, also faces serious accusations of mismanagement. COA has flagged numerous issues, including poor implementation of programs, delays in providing basic services like electricity to schools, and even the delivery of moldy and insect-infested food items to children. These are not minor oversights. These are failures that impact the lives of ordinary Filipinos, especially the most vulnerable.

The pattern is alarming. Mismanagement at the OVP, inefficiencies at DepEd, questionable use of funds—all point to a lack of accountability. Duterte cannot simply pass the blame to her subordinates. She was the one in charge, and the buck stops with her. For someone who aspires to be president, this is a serious credibility issue. If she cannot manage her current responsibilities transparently and effectively, how can the public trust her with the highest office in the land?

Duterte’s refusal to take the oath was more than just a symbolic gesture. It was a refusal to face the truth, to be held accountable, and to show the people that she respects the rule of law. This is not what the country needs from its leaders. The Vice President must step up and provide clear, honest answers. She must explain how public funds were used and why so many projects under her watch failed. She must take the oath and tell the truth, not just for the sake of the committee, but for the sake of the Filipino people.

Anything less would be an insult to the very people she claims to serve.

Government should hit hard on oil smugglers

It’s about time that law enforcement agencies bring down the rich people behind rampant oil smuggling in Manila Bay. Consecutive oil spills happened and investigations revealed most tankers sailed without proper clearances.

MT Terranova (1.5M liters) sank off Limay, Bataan, more than a month ago. At almost the same time , MTKR Jason Bradley (5,500 liters) and MV Mirola 1 (3,000 liters) sank .It was only last week that the Philippine Coast guard siphoned off MT Terranova’s spilled contents in the sea.

Recently, two other tankers M/T Tritrust (330,000 liters) and M/T Mega Ensoleillee (40,000 liters) were seized by the PCG’s Task Force Aduana Port Interdiction Unit (TFA-PIU) and the Bureau of Custom’s Intelligence and Investigation Services (BOC-CIIS). They were caught carrying unmarked oil cargo and its owners will be charged criminally.

The Department of Finance’s (DOF) estimates revenues lost to smuggling and technical smuggling, or misdeclaration of goods, reached P26.9 billion in 2016 or more than half of P52.6 billion collection on oil products the same year. Asian Development Bank (ADB) believes losses was higher at P43.8 billion before fuel marking.

Today, tax revenues already increased and government intends to mark all oil products by December 2025, in agreement with SGS Philippines Inc. and Switzerland-based SICPA SA, which produces the marker.

However, the rampant smuggling of unmarked fuel remains unabated. No less than DOJ secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla called this a “pandora’s box” that was “silently tolerated for the longest time.” “There are two kinds”, he said, “one is where the suppliers get a percentage of oil pilferage of a Batangas-based syndicate”.
“The second is the smuggling of oil where fuel will be brought out of one boat to another without being paid and without being marked by the Bureau of Customs”, Remulla reiterated.

Last year, there was a controversy on how the Bureau of Customs disposes its 2.1 million liters of smuggled fuel . In a Senate hearing they said some were donated to the Philippine Coast Guard and also for office use. However, reports say they are resold thru bidding a lower prices so “oil smugglers” can buy them back.

President Marcos Jr. vowed to punish these oil smugglers and the causes of oil spills in our seas. But more action and harsher laws should fall on these perpetrators. In the US, these are checked by their very tough RICO ACT (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act) where all syndicates are busted and jailed.

I was dreaming that our legislators would make a copy of this law for the past 38 years after the idealistic EDSA revolution. But sandly, they did not and for obvious reasons. They themselves might end up in jail.