Sara Duterte Protests “Spoiled Brat” Label
SARA DUTERTE – Vice President Sara Duterte denounced the ‘spoiled brat’ label amid budget hearing controversy.
Vice President Sara Duterte defended her confrontational stance during deliberations on the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) proposed P2.037-billion budget for 2025, stating that she was not acting like a “spoiled brat.” Duterte explained that her uncooperative attitude was a response to what she perceived as a political spectacle aimed at attacking her and that her critics misunderstood her behavior.
During budget hearings in both the Senate and House of Representatives, Duterte’s demeanor became hostile when asked about past OVP spending. Some lawmakers and critics labeled her attitude as “disrespectful” to the principles of checks and balances outlined in the Constitution.
In a recent interview distributed by the OVP, Duterte said “I’ve been accustomed to answer questions, that’s why I give chance interviews to the media. The public knows I’m not a ‘bratinella’ or a spoiled brat… I suppose some members of the House of Representatives just aren’t accustomed to not getting what they want and the answers they want to hear.” She added that lawmakers weren’t accustomed to pushback and that the “spoiled brat” label was merely part of their attack on her responses.
Lawmakers, citing audit reports that pointed to irregularities, expressed concern over the OVP’s spending, particularly regarding P73 million of the P125-million confidential funds flagged by the Commission on Audit in 2022. Duterte, however, has been openly critical of the House of Representatives, which is at the center of her ongoing conflict with the Marcos family and their allies.
Despite this, Duterte acknowledged Congress’ authority over the national budget, saying, “That’s why we have budget hearings… We acknowledge that power that’s why we went to the Senate and House of Representatives hearings to present our budget (proposal). What I did (during those deliberations) was to forgo the question and answer part of the budget hearing… and just leave it up to Congress to decide what they will do for the OVP.”
Sara Duterte urged the public not to misinterpret her actions, emphasizing that she had made the OVP’s budget proposal accessible online for transparency.
Meanwhile, House officials challenged Duterte to prove she is not a “spoiled brat” by showing respect for the budget scrutiny process. House Deputy Majority Leader Jude Acidre stated, “If she claims not to be a ‘spoiled brat,’ she must prove it by respecting the process and providing the answers we need to evaluate her office’s budget.”
Assistant Majority Leader Amparo Maria Zamora emphasized that it is lawmakers’ duty to ask difficult questions, and Duterte, as an elected official, should answer with clarity and professionalism. Bongalon of Ako Bicol party-list added that Duterte should stop framing the hearings as personal attacks and acknowledge them as part of her responsibility as Vice President.
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