By Diego Mora
A Manila congressman has put Shiminet Sara Zimmerman Duterte Carpio’s feet to the fire by questioning why she is trying to replicate the job of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) by having her own “ayuda” program that conspicuously only targets beneficiaries in the National Capital Region (NCR.)
In a scathing rebuke of the vice president, Manila 2nd District Rep. Rolando Valeriano argued in a privilege speech that the Office of the Vice President (OVP) wants her own “social aid” program that lists 977,615 beneficiaries in NCR for 2025. He also questioned why the OVP had appropriations for the same program in 2023 and 2024. “It makes me wonder why in the OVP’s budget for 2023, 2024, and 2025, the financial aid programs were only for NCR. As the chair of the committee on Metro Manila development, I am wondering where the billions of pesos in the allocations for her office’s socioeconomic programs go?” Valeriano asked.
While the DSWD has been trying to streamline its 4Ps program for the poorest of the poor, with more families stricken off the program and investment made for job generation, the OVP is trying to have its own “DSWD” that targets a big number of the poor in NCR, Valeriano complained. The congressman put Sara to task by saying:
“In their 2025 budget proposal, they have 977,615 beneficiaries. Where is the proof that these beneficiaries are real people, not ghost beneficiaries? Where is the list of the verified beneficiaries? Where are the receipts? None.”
“In their budget proposal, the OVP said they had 793 strategic partnerships in 2023. Where is the list of strategic partnerships and strategic partnership agreements?” Valeriano asked. The Manila lawmaker noted that during her appearance before the House appropriations panel, Sara showed little respect for the panel and refused to be “crucified” and “harassed” by answering basic questions. Valeriano stressed it is the duty of Congress, which has the power of the purse, to scrutinize the budget of any government agency, including the OVP. Simply put, Sara doesn’t own the OVP’s money.
Other observers also noted Sara has some attitude, as she did not show up top meet former Vice President Leni Roberto to discuss the transition and formal OVP turnover. Valeriano said that during the OVP budget deliberation on Aug. 27, 2024, disrespected the 1987 Constitution by evading questions raised by other House members. Sara even asked that Marikina 2nd District Rep. Stella Quimbo be replaced as presiding officer of the hearing after she told Duterte that ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro had the right to question the utilization of the OVP’s confidential funds for 2022 and 2023.
(Artwork by Balinghoy)
“That is bad behavior. The VP is wrong to assume that she cannot be contradicted by anyone. And that is what we witnessed during the budget hearing of the OVP,” Valeriano argued in his privilege speech. “Even at the start of her presentation, it’s obvious that she does not want to answer any questions thrown at her. The Vice President wasted the opportunity to show the OVP’s accomplishments to the Filipino people,” he added. Now, the people want Sara to reveal who the beneficiaries of her “social aid” program are, identify the 793 strategic partnerships she signed last year and disclose how she spent the money allotted for the program.
Yet, ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro, Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Arlene Brosas, Kabataan Rep. Raoul Manuel and Marikina Rep. Stella Quimbo have a fairly accurate assessment of what Sara is going to do in response to Valeriano’s speech. She will just ignore the Manila congressman’s plea. In the case of the P69-million in the 2023 confidential and intelligence funds (CIF) disallowed, the rewards dispensed came in the form of cash, “other products” and “medicines.” The balance was spent for computers, office equipment and supplies. There were also 132 “surveillance” operations.
For the edification of the people at large, Sara will continue to be the epitome of a “shiminet,” one who must keep “shtum” or silent, with wide mouth shut, or answer questions obliquely, or laced with snark. At least, Sara shows herself to be consistent with her favored aphorism: Honesty is not needed in politics. She did not have Napoleon Bonaparte in mind as he reminded his peers not to engage enemies frequently in battle as they come to learn more about tactics and methods of war. Never wage war for war’s sake. But the stubborn “shiminet” is just like any narcissist and solipsist who thinks only his or her ego is real. The 2022 election was a tragedy. Let us not make the 2025 election a farce.###