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Malacañang on Thursday encouraged Vice President Sara Duterte to attend the bicameral conference committee deliberations on the proposed P7.2-trillion national budget for 2027 if she has concerns that it might be used against her in the impeachment trial.
This developed after Duterte raised concerns about the supposed allegations of "cash distribution and political maneuvering" surrounding the 2027 budget. The vice president asked if the budget had become a "bargaining chip to pressure" senator-judges or a "reward" for House members who turned against her.
Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said that the vice president has no evidence for her allegations.
"Madaling magturo, mahirap patunayan. Kung siya'y may duda sa budget na ito, alam naman natin nasa kaninong kamay ngayon ang nagsasagawa ng budget, ito ay nasa Kongreso," Castro said.
(It's easy to make accusations, but difficult to prove them. If she has doubts regarding the budget, we know very well that the budget process lies in the hands of Congress.)
"So kung mayroon siyang duda para maliitin ang impeachment court, mas maganda sigurong umupo siya sa bicam conference, kung meron man. Para mas maintindihan niya kung saan mapupunta 'yung budget at paano ito ginagastos na hindi napupunta sa bulsa ng iilang tiwali sa gobyerno," she added.
(So, if she has doubts, to the point of disparaging the impeachment court, perhaps it would be better for her to sit in on a bicameral conference committee meeting, if there is one. That way, she could better understand where the budget is allocated and how it is spent, ensuring it doesn't end up in the pockets of a few corrupt individuals in government.)
Duterte earlier said the people would be taken for granted, if the impeachment and the national budget are being used "as instruments of political survival of the corrupt." — VDV, GMA News