There are no permanent friends or enemies, only permanent interests, this is a slightly-reworded version of the quote by Lord Palmerston, a 19th-century British prime minister. These words are almost always associated with politics, and it pretty much sums up what we have in this country. Case in point is the current animosity of Vice President Sara Duterte Carpio against the Marcos Family who has launched verbal tirades many have seen as crossing the line. I seem to remember the Marcos-Duterte pairing as Team Unity during the 2022 campaign. But alas, the above quote has proven so apt once again.
For the past several Senate hearings, the vice president had been asked to explain how huge amounts of confidential funds were spent both when she was secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd) and by her own office as vice president. This stems from the Commission on Audit’s (COA) disallowance of ?15.54 million out of the ?112.5 million confidential fund expenses of DepEd in 2023 and how ?500 million in confidential and intelligence funds of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) were spent, more than half disallowed by the COA. The OVP spent ?125 million in just 11 days.
But instead of providing answers and explanations, Carpio has resorted to what some would say “pambubudol” or squid tactics. She has issued disparaging statements against President Bongbong Marcos Jr., saying he “does not know how to be president.” She laments pairing up with Marcos during the campaign, apologizes to Apollo Quiboloy’s Kingdom of Jesus Christ members for asking them to vote for Marcos, and utters her worst statement yet threatening to dig up Marcos Sr.’s body and throw it into the West Philippine Sea.
I have heard a lawmaker explain why the vice president has acted this way. But many more are saying she crossed the line, was unbecoming as the second-highest official in the land, and insolent and desperate. From what I can see, the partnership is dead which shows how relevant Lord Palmerston’s quote is. I also see one who was never told “no” as a child. Public funds, be it confidential, must be accounted for. The COA would not have flagged or disallowed parts of the OVP and DedEd’s expenditures if they were beyond scrutiny. If everything was above board, then explaining and providing supporting documents shouldn’t be that hard. But the vice president goes on to accuse Congress of orchestrating an impeachment against her, attacking her as part of politics. All these while continuing to deflect providing explanations for her expenditures both as the former Education secretary and as vice president. Who knows how long her vitriol against the Marcos family will last, and if the president himself will respond?