The refusal of Vice President Sara Duterte to take an oath before the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability was raised Friday by House Committee on Human Rights Chairman Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr. of Manila, as he pressed the need for her to face the allegations contained in the fourth impeachment complaint.

Abante, an impeachment complainant and former vice chair of the Good Government panel, recalled that Duterte did not answer questions under oath during a previous congressional inquiry.

“She refused to take an oath in the Good Government,” Abante said, referring to the hearing where the Vice President appeared but did not personally respond to questions.

For the lawmaker, the impeachment proceedings now provide a formal venue to address the accusations.

“This is now a very good opportunity … for her to answer all the allegations,” Abante said, adding that the public deserves clarity on the issues hounding the Office of the Vice President.

Abante also pointed to the alleged misuse of public funds, stressing that confidential allocations are not exempt from accountability.

“Confidential funds are public funds; that’s not private funds,” Abante said.

“She is a public official elected by the Filipino people, and therefore she must be accountable,” he added.

He said the allegations raised in the complaint, including issues involving the handling of funds, go to the core of public trust and require direct answers under the constitutional process of impeachment.