By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa said he would push for the retention of the Department of Education’s confidential fund that was realigned by Congress to other government agencies.
“I maintain [my position] as far as myself is concerned regarding confidential funds, sa akin wala akong pakialam sa Office of the Vice President kung tanggalan nila ‘yan ng confidential fund despite it being the second-highest office of the land,” Dela Rosa said in an interview with ANC.
“Alam nating may confidential fund ay ang Office of the President why not give confidential fund to the Office of the Vice President too?” the senator added.
The lawmaker said that confidential funds for DepEd will be used for monitoring and to counter the alleged recruitment of communists in schools.
“What I was fighting for eh sana hindi naman ma-zero ang confidential fund ng DepEd. Dahil alam ko, itong confidential fund ng DepEd doon sa pagmomonitor doon sa nga recruitment,” Dela Rosa said. “And on how to counter it.”
Vice President and DepEd Secretary Sara Duterte has requested P150 million in confidential and intelligence funds (CIF) for the fiscal year 2024.
The House of Representatives has stripped off the confidential funds of at least five agencies including the DepEd and the Office of the Vice President.
(ai/mnm)
