By Junex Doronio
Vice President Sara Duterte on Thursday said she will no longer pursue the P650 million total of confidential funds for the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) in 2024 for the sake of unity and peace.
In reaction, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III praised the Vice President’s decision to give up her request for P650 million in confidential funds, which has divided the senators discussing the proposed 2024 national budget.
During plenary debates on the Office of the OVP’s proposed budget Thursday, the sponsor, Senator Sonny Angara, read Duterte’s statement that the OVP “will no longer pursue the confidential fund” because “it is seen to be divisive.”
VP Duterte conceded that the OVP can only propose a budget to Congress for the implementation of its programs and projects.
“Nevertheless, we will no longer pursue the confidential funds. Why? Because this issue is divisive, and as the Vice President, I swore an oath to keep the country peaceful and strong,” she stressed.
To recall, in October the House of Representatives have decided to realign the P650-million total of confidential funds of the OVP and the DepEd to agencies involved in safeguarding the country’s security and sovereignty in the face of Chinese incursions and harassments.
“It is essential to understand that this decision was made for the benefit of the nation and not as a personal affront to any individual, including VP Duterte,” said the congressmen from different political parties which support the leadership of Romualdez.
Notably, the beneficiaries of the House’s realignment of the confidential funds from OVP and the DepEd include the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (P300 million), National Security Council (P100 million) and Philippine Coast Guard (P200 million).
(ai/mnm)
