By Junex Doronio
MANILA — The Supreme Court on Monday asked Vice President Sara Duterte to comment on a petition for certiorari with regards to the P125 million confidential funds spent by the Office of the Vice President (OVP) in just 11 days in 2022.
On Monday, the court released a notice dated Nov. 14, 2023, requiring VP Duterte, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, and Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman to “comment within 10 days from notice hereof.”
To recall, the controversy of the P125-million confidential funds which was spent in just 11 days in 2022 as exposed by pro-administration ally, Marikina City Representative Stella Quimbo caused public uproar and is even believed to have caused the sudden drop of Inday Sara’s popularity in recent surveys.
“Tandaan ninyo—kung sino man ang kumokontra sa confidential funds ay kumokontra sa kapayapaan. Kung sino ang kumokontra sa kapayapaan ay kalaban ng bayan,” VP Duterte declared last October 5.
But last November 7, petitioners led by lawyers Christian Monsod, Katrina Monsod, Barry Gutierrez, and RP Santiago said the transfer of funds from the Office of the President (OP) to the OVP as confidential funds and expenses was unconstitutional.
The High Tribunal was asked to order the OVP to return the P125 million confidential funds it spent in 2022 to the government’s treasury.
(ai/mnm)
