Politics · Philippines Bureau
Abante pushes for Duterte subpoena in confidential funds impeachment trial
A Manila congressman has called for Vice President Sara Duterte to testify under oath during her impeachment proceedings to account for P612.5 million in confidential funds. The demand follows witness testimony that failed to explain how the disputed amount was ultimately spent.
LSN Philippines ·
Manila Representative Bienvenido Abante Jr. has urged the impeachment court to subpoena Vice President Sara Duterte to personally address questions surrounding P612.5 million in confidential funds allocated during her tenure as Budget Secretary. The call came after witnesses testified in the proceedings but could not provide clear accounting of how the money was used.
Abante, who chairs the House Committee on Human Rights, cited the gaps in witness testimony as grounds for compelling the Vice President's appearance. The confidential funds have become a central point of contention in the ongoing impeachment trial, with lawmakers seeking transparency on the allocation and expenditure of public money.
The push for a subpoena represents an escalation in efforts to obtain direct answers from Duterte regarding the fund's disposition. Impeachment proceedings against the Vice President have intensified scrutiny of her financial management during her previous government position, with legislators demanding detailed explanations of the large sum in question.
The development underscores mounting pressure on the administration as the impeachment trial progresses, with legislators from various political camps united in seeking accountability for the unaccounted confidential funds.