MANILA 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua on Friday disputed Vice President Sara Duterte’s claim that she was only invited once to the hearings of the House Blue Ribbon Committee, asserting that the panel has made extensive efforts to accommodate her participation.
“The committee has gone above and beyond to make sure she has every opportunity to present her side,” said Chua, who chairs the panel, formally known as the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability.
Chua’s panel has been investigating the alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential and intelligence funds allocated to the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education under Duterte’s leadership.
Contrary to Duterte’s claim of a single invitation, Chua clarified that she was invited to both the first and second hearings, held on Sept. 18 and 25.
“She declined to attend the third, fourth, and fifth hearings scheduled on Oct. 17, Nov. 5, and Nov. 11, after submitting a formal letter stating she would not be present,” Chua pointed out.
In a letter dated Sept. 23 addressed to Chua, Duterte declined to attend further hearings, citing constitutional concerns and arguing that the inquiry was unnecessary, as the claims could be verified through public records.
Duterte has also criticized House rules, alleging that they potentially violate constitutional rights, and noted that related issues are already pending before the Supreme Court.
During the House Quad Committee hearing last Wednesday, which was attended by her father, former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, the Vice President was personally handed an invitation to the sixth hearing, scheduled for Nov. 20.
However, in a press conference at the Senate on Thursday, Duterte claimed she had not received any further invitations after attending the first hearing.
In a follow-up press conference on Friday, Duterte asserted that she felt sidelined during the initial hearing, saying she was made to sit without being asked questions, which she described as a waste of her time.
According to an accurate account of the Sept. 18 hearing, Duterte declined to participate by refusing to take her oath as a resource person, did not respond directly to lawmakers’ questions, and left shortly after delivering a statement critical of the investigation.
Chua strongly disputed Duterte’s characterization of the committee’s actions, noting the repeated efforts to secure her presence and participation.
“The Vice President has been given every opportunity to clarify the use of public funds in her office, particularly those that are shielded from typical auditing processes due to confidentiality,” Chua said.
He added: “The House Blue Ribbon Committee is committed to transparency—especially for officials with substantial access to public money. The public deserves clear answers, and we expect all officials, especially those at the highest levels, to step forward and explain their spending.”
With the upcoming Nov. 20 hearing on the horizon, Chua stressed that this will be an important opportunity for Duterte to provide direct responses to the committee’s questions.
“We have done our part to ensure she has a platform to address these issues in full view of the public. Now, the choice is hers: attend and clarify, or refuse and raise further doubts,” Chua stated.
The committee, Chua emphasized, is committed to fulfilling its duty of upholding transparency and accountability on behalf of the public.
“The House remains steadfast in its responsibility to protect taxpayer money,” he stressed. “We trust that the Vice President will take this opportunity to directly address the public’s concerns, as every official entrusted with public funds should.”
During her Friday press conference, Duterte indicated she has no intention of attending further hearings, instead planning to submit an affidavit regarding her office’s confidential funds, which she said would be “under oath.”
Chua said the committee will review the affidavit if she submits it, but it is preferable for her to attend in person to ensure clarity and accountability regarding the questioned funds.
“We will examine her affidavit if she formally submits it. However, we would prefer her appearance before the committee to clarify all matters related to her confidential funds,” Chua said.
Typhoon Pepito continues to threaten Southern Luzon, Eastern Visayas at near super typhoon
LOCATION of Center (7:00 AM): The center of the eye of Typhoon PEPITO was estimated based on all available data including from Guiuan Weather Surveillance Radar at 235 km East of Catarman, Northern Samar (12.5°N, 126.8°E).
Intensity: Maximum sustained winds of 175 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 215 km/h, and central pressure of 940 hPa
Present Movement: Northwestward at 25 km/h
Extent of Tropical Cyclone Winds: Strong to typhoon-force winds extend outwards up to 440 km from the center
TROPICAL CYCLONE WIND SIGNALS (TCWS) IN EFFECT
TCWS No. 3
Wind threat: Storm-force winds
Luzon
Catanduanes, the eastern portion of Albay (Rapu-Rapu, Bacacay Santo Domingo, City of Tabaco, Malilipot, Tiwi, Malinao), the eastern portion of Camarines Sur (Caramoan, Presentacion, San Jose, Garchitorena, Lagonoy, Sagñay, Tigaon, Goa, Tinambac, Siruma), and the easternmost portion of Sorsogon (Prieto Diaz)
Visayas
The eastern portion of Northern Samar (Palapag, Laoang, Mapanas, Gamay, Lapinig, Catubig, Pambujan) and the northernmost portion of Eastern Samar (San Policarpo, Arteche, Oras, Jipapad)
Warning lead time: 18 hours
Range of wind speeds: 89 to 117 km/h (Beaufort 10 to 11)
Potential impacts of winds: Moderate to significant threat to life and property
TCWS No. 2
Wind threat: Gale-force winds
Luzon
The rest of Camarines Sur, the rest of Albay, the rest of Sorsogon, Ticao Island, Camarines Norte, the northeastern portion of Quezon (Perez, Alabat, Quezon, Calauag, Guinayangan, Tagkawayan) including Pollilo Islands
Visayas
The northern portion of Eastern Samar (Dolores, Maslog, Can-Avid, Taft, Sulat, San Julian, City of Borongan), the northern portion of Samar (Matuguinao, Calbayog City, Santa Margarita, San Jorge, San Jose de Buan, Tarangnan, Motiong, Gandara, Jiabong, City of Catbalogan, Paranas, Hinabangan, San Sebastian, Pagsanghan), and the rest of Northern Samar
Warning lead time: 24 hours
Range of wind speeds: 62 to 88 km/h (Beaufort 8 to 9)
Potential impacts of winds: Minor to moderate threat to life and property
TCWS No. 1
Wind threat: Strong winds
Luzon
The rest of Masbate including Burias Island, Marinduque, Romblon, the rest of Quezon, Laguna, Rizal, Cavite, Batangas, Metro Manila, Zambales, Bataan, Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Aurora, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Isabela, mainland Cagayan, Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, Abra, Apayao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, and Benguet
Visayas
The rest of Eastern Samar, the rest of Samar, Biliran, the northern and central portions of Leyte (Tunga, Pastrana, San Miguel, Matag-Ob, Tolosa, Palo, Calubian, Leyte, Mayorga, Julita, Carigara, Babatngon, Dagami, Jaro, San Isidro, Santa Fe, Albuera, Villaba, La Paz, Palompon, Macarthur, Tabontabon, Tanauan, Merida, Ormoc City, Isabel, Dulag, Capoocan, Alangalang, Burauen, Tabango, Tacloban City, Kananga, Barugo, Abuyog, Javier, City of Baybay, Mahaplag), the northeastern portion of Southern Leyte (Silago), the northernmost portion of Cebu (Daanbantayan, Medellin) including Bantayan Islands, and the northernmost portion of Iloilo (Carles)
Mindanao
The northern portion of Dinagat Islands (Loreto, Tubajon)
Warning lead time: 36 hours
Range of wind speeds: 39 to 61 km/h (Beaufort 6 to 7)
Potential impacts of winds: Minimal to minor threat to life and property
OTHER HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND AREAS
Heavy Rainfall Outlook
Refer to Weather Advisory No. 42 issued at 8:00 AM today for the three-day heavy rainfall outlook associated with “PEPITO”.
Severe Winds
The wind signals warn the public of the general wind threat over an area due to the tropical cyclone. Local winds may be slightly stronger/enhanced in coastal and upland/mountainous areas exposed to winds. Winds are less strong in areas sheltered from the prevailing wind direction.
• Moderate to significant impacts from storm-force winds are possible within any of the areas under Wind Signal No. 3.
• Minor to moderate impacts from gale-force winds are possible within any of the areas under Wind Signal No. 2.
• Minimal to minor impacts from strong winds are possible within any of the areas under Wind Signal No. 1.
The highest Wind Signal which may be hoisted during the occurrence of PEPITO is Wind Signal No. 5.
Coastal Inundation
There is a high risk of life-threatening storm surge with peak heights exceeding 3.0 m in the next 48 hours over the low-lying or exposed coastal localities of Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Samar, Bicol Region, Marinduque, Quezon including Polillo Islands, Cavite, Batangas, Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Isabela, and Ilocos Region. Refer to Storm Surge Warning No. 5 issued at 2:00 AM today for the details.
HAZARDS AFFECTING COASTAL WATERS
A Gale Warning is hoisted over the eastern and southern seaboards of Southern Luzon and the eastern seabooad of Visayas. Refer to Gale Warning No. 10 issued at 5:00 AM today for the details.
24-Hour Sea Condition Outlook
Up to very rough, high, or very high seas over the following coastal waters:
• Up to 14.0 m: The seaboard of Catanduanes.
• Up to 12.0 m: The northern seaboard of Camarines Sur.
• Up to 9.0 m: The northern and eastern seaboards of Northern Samar; the seaboard of Camarines Norte.
• Up to 7.0 m: The eastern seaboards of Albay, Sorsogon, and Eastern Samar.
• Up to 5.5 m: The remaining seaboards of Camarines Sur.
• Up to 4.5 m: The northern and eastern seaboards of Polillo Islands; the seaboards of Aurora; the remaining seaboards of Albay, Sorsogon, and Northern Samar; the seaboards of Burias and Ticao Islands.
• Sea travel is risky for all types or tonnage of vessels. All mariners must remain in port or, if underway, seek shelter or safe harbor as soon as possible until winds and waves subside.
Up to rough seas over the following coastal waters:
• Up to 4.0 m: The seaboards of Dinagat Islands and northern Quezon.
• Up to 3.5 m: The seaboards of Isabela and Surigao del Norte including Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands; the remaining seaboards of Polillo Islands and Quezon, Bicol Region, and Eastern Visayas
• Up to 3.0 m: The eastern seaboards of Cagayan and Babuyan Islands; the seaboard of Surigao del Sur; the seaboards of Marinduque, Romblon, and northern Cebu
• Mariners of small seacrafts, including all types of motorbancas, are advised not to venture out to sea under these conditions, especially if inexperienced or operating ill-equipped vessels.
Up to moderate seas over the following coastal waters:
• Up to 2.5 m: The seaboards of Batanes and Davao Oriental
• Up to 2.0 m: The seaboards of Oriental Mindoro, Aklan, Capiz, Davao del Sur, and Ilocos Region.
• Mariners of motorbancas and similarly-sized vessels are advised to take precautionary measures while venturing out to sea and, if possible, avoid navigation under these conditions.
TRACK AND INTENSITY OUTLOOK
• PEPITO is forecast to move generally west northwestward within the next three days before turning generally westward to west southwestward from Monday (18 November) afternoon to Thursday (20 November) early morning. On the track forecast, PEPITO is more likely to make landfall in the vicinity of Catanduanes tonight or tomorrow (17 November) early morning. However, considering the limits of the forecast confidence cone, a landfall scenario over the eastern coast of Camarines Sur, Albay, or Sorsogon during the same time frame, or along the eastern coast of Quezon or Aurora tomorrow afternoon or evening remains not ruled out. PEPITO is expected to exit the PAR region on Monday.
• Regardless of the landfall point, PEPITO will more likely move generally west northwestward over the weekend and pass over or near the landmass of Bicol Region, Quezon, Central Luzon provinces, and the provinces of Benguet, La Union, and Pangasinan before emerging over the West Philippine Sea tomorrow evening or Monday morning.
• It must be emphasized that heavy rainfall, severe winds, and storm surge may still be experienced in localities outside the landfall point and the forecast confidence cone. Refer to “Other Hazards affecting Land Areas” for more details. Furthermore, the track may still shift within the limit of the forecast confidence cone.
• PEPITO will continue to intensify today and may reach super typhoon category within the next hours prior to its landfall tonight or tomorrow early morning. Although a slight weakening may occur after its initial passage over land, much of the weakening will occur tomorrow as PEPITO passes over the landmass of Central Luzon. Nevertheless, it will traverse the country as a typhoon and will likely be downgraded into a severe tropical storm once it is over the West Philippine Sea on Monday.
Considering these developments, the public and disaster risk reduction and management offices concerned are advised to take all necessary measures to protect life and property. Persons living in areas identified to be highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards are advised to follow evacuation and other instructions from local officials. For heavy rainfall warnings, thunderstorm/rainfall advisories, and other severe weather information specific to your area, please monitor products issued by your local PAGASA Regional Services Division.
