Sara Duterte’s repeated non-appearance before Congress shows grave insult and disrespect to this institution. If she cannot respect us—the Members of the House of Representatives—at least respect the House of Representatives as an institution, at least respect the Constitution.

The whole budget process is something that is being directed and recognized by the Constitution itself. So disrespecting the budgetary process of this Body is a clear case of disrespect of our Constitution.

Who is she to continuously disrespect or show disrespect to this Body as an institution and to the Constitution. If she can afford to be showing herself up to the Senate, including being there, and applauding the former Senate President in his privilege speech, which is definitely not part of her mandate as a Vice President, why can’t she not spare a few moments of her time attending to her official function as Vice President to defend the budget of her office.

Enough is enough! Enough of her brattiness!

So, I rise today to manifest my extreme displeasure about the behavior of VP Sara, and in due time, I will move for the decrease in the budget of the Office of the Vice President.

I actually intended initially to move for zero budget or for the disapproval of the budget of the Office of the Vice President in light of those very questionable actuations of the part of the Vice President. But after some mulling, after some reflections, and out of courtesy also and consideration to the personnel and staff of the Office of the Vice President, I’m just now thinking of moving for the decrease, let’s say, for the retention of the MOOE and personnel services budget and get rid of the operational budget of the Office of the Vice President. I will move for that, at the proper time, during the period of amendment. And I hope that my colleagues will join me in that amendment. Wag niyang bastusin ang ating Konstitusyon!