Hontiveros, Duterte clash in Senate hearing

SEN. Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday slammed Vice President Sara Duterte's refusal to give details of the P10 million worth of books she plans to distribute to children in remote areas.

During Duterte's presentation of the proposed P2.037 billion 2025 budget of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) to the Senate, Hontiveros asked the official to provide details about her self-authored book titled «Isang Kaibigan» (A Friend).

The vice president did not answer the question and instead accused Hontiveros of «politicizing» the budget hearing. Duterte added she would send all senators a copy of her book on Wednesday.

Vice President Sara Duterte. (PHOTO: MIKE ALQUINTO)

«I can't imagine why we're making so much trouble, so much fuss about a P10-million item [in the OVP's proposed budget next year]. I was simply asking, 'What is the book about' and how many copies [of the book] that the government will purchase and distribute,» Hontiveros said.

Addressing Sen. Grace Poe, chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Hontiveros added, «I don't appreciate this kind of attitude, Madam chair.»

To which Duterte replied in Filipino and English, «Yes, Madam chair, I also can't understand the attitude of Sen. Risa Hontiveros, and I do not appreciate, what did she say, this kind of behavior and attitude.»

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«For the record, this is public funds, and we're making inquiries about them. This is a budget hearing. This is not all about you. This is public funds,» Hontiveros told Duterte.

Vice President Sara Duterte gestures as she answers questions from the senators during the deliberation of the proposed 2025 budget for the Office of the Vice President (OVP) at the Senate on Aug. 20, 2024. Duterte held a press conference after. PHOTOS BY MIKE ALQUINTO Vice President Sara Duterte gestures as she answers questions from the senators during the deliberation of the proposed 2025 budget for the Office of the Vice President (OVP) at the Senate on Aug. 20, 2024. Duterte held a press conference after. PHOTOS BY MIKE ALQUINTO Vice President Sara Duterte gestures as she answers questions from the senators during the deliberation of the proposed 2025 budget for the Office of the Vice