A PERFECT storm broke out in the House of Representatives on Tuesday after Vice President Sara Duterte refused to defend her office's P2.037-billion proposed budget for 2025 before the House Appropriations Committee while accusing House Speaker Martin Romualdez and committee chairman Elizaldy Co of 'messing up' the implementation of the General Appropriations Act (GAA) in the Department of Education when she was its secretary.

Both Romualdez and Co have vehemently denied the accusation, saying the budgetary process is strictly governed by the Constitution and the law, and their only duty is to implement it faithfully. However, the give-and-take continues.