VP Sara Duterte Compared to ‘Pusit’ by Castro
FRANCE CASTRO – The House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers party-list representative compared Vice President Sara Duterte to a “pusit” or squid during a House Committee on Appropriations briefing.
Castro made the comparison to criticize Duterte’s evasive responses to questions regarding the P125 million confidential fund that was depleted in just 11 days in 2022. Castro argued that Duterte’s tactics resembled a squid releasing black ink when cornered, an attempt to deflect scrutiny.
“Hindi pwede yung tactics na ganyan na parang ano ‘no sorry for the pusit na kapag nasusukol na ang pusit nag-aano (naglalabas) ng maitim na tinta, so ayaw natin ng ganun Madam chair,” Castro said. “Huwag naman mag-ugaling pusit ang Office of the Vice President,” the lady solon added.
Duterte, invited to discuss the proposed P2.3 billion budget for her office for the upcoming year, consistently avoided defending the budget in a question-and-answer format, instead deferring to the House to decide on the budget. This avoidance led to criticism from Castro, who urged the Office of the Vice President not to act in a manner that avoids transparency.
Former President and current Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo defended Duterte, suggesting that the discussion should focus on the current year’s budget usage and the proposed 2025 budget. However, Appropriations Committee Senior Vice Chairperson and Marikina Rep. Stella Luz Quimbo pointed out that the House had requested the Commission on Audit (COA) to complete an audit of the OVP’s confidential fund by mid-November last year. Quimbo emphasized that the discussion of the confidential fund was important due to the significant amount involved, stressing that the public deserves to understand how the funds were used.
Meanwhile, it was noted that the Office of the Vice President no longer has a confidential fund for the current year.