By Junex Doronio

On All Souls’ Day Thursday, 02 November 2023, Vice President Sara Duterte has exhorted all Filipinos that there’s no better way to honor the memories of the departed loved ones than by leading meaningful lives.

At the same time, Duterte urged the Filipinos to pray for continued blessings for the Philippines and protection against calamities, wars, and “other forces.”

“May this become an opportunity for Filipino families to be together to celebrate the lives of the departed and offer earnest prayers for the salvation of their souls,” Duterte said.

She pointed out that the revered holiday allowed the country to pause in honor of all saints that reminded the world of “God’s compassion, mercy, and enduring love.”

“Let us honor the memories of those who have gone before us by leading more meaningful lives guided by the values of love, forgiveness, and peace,” she added.

The Vice President also called on the faithful to solemnly pray and reflect on their devotion and faith.

“A blessed observance to all. Ang lahat para sa Diyos, sa Bayan, at sa bawat pamilyang Pilipino. Shukran.”

Shukran is an Arabic word that means “thank you” and is also being used by Muslim Filipinos.

(ai/mnm)

Ni Liezelle Soriano

TULUYAN nang inalis ng House of Representatives ang P1.23 bilyong halaga ng confidential funds ng limang ahensiya, kabilang na ang Office of the Vice President (OVP) at Department of Education (DepEd), sa ilalim ng panukalang P5.768-trillion budget para sa 2024.

Sinabi ni House Committee on Appropriations senior vice chairperson Stella Quimbo na nangyari ito matapos sumang-ayon ang House small panel na i-reallocate ang P194 bilyon mula sa panukalang 2024 national budget para sa 2024 — kasama ang P1.23 bilyon na confidential funds.

“Our panel introduced P194 billion worth of institutional amendments. The main goal was to rationalize the allocation of resources to fight inflation, invest in human capital and in our country’s future,” ani Quimbo.

“We believe that the House of Representatives is on the right side of history,” dagdag pa niya.

Bukod sa OVP at DepEd, ang iba pang ahensiya na nawalan ng confidential fund allocation sa ilalim ng panukalang amendments ng Kamara ay ang Department of Agriculture, Department of Information and Communications Technology, at Department of Foreign Affairs.

Ililipat naman ang P1.23 bilyon sa mga sumusunod:

  • P300-M sa National Intelligence Coordinating Agency
  • P100-M sa National Security Council
  • P200-M sa Philippine Coast Guard para sa intelligence activities
  • P381.8-M Department of Transportation para sa airport development

Si Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio ang kalihim ng DepEd.

Sa isang pagtitipon sa Butuan City, magugunitang sinikap depensahan ni Duterte-Carpio ang importansiya ng confidential funds.

“I stand before you to shed light on the crucial role of confidential funds in ensuring the security and development of our beloved nation. In the pursuit of progress, it is imperative that we prioritize the well-being of our citizens and safeguard the peace and order that underpins our society,” aniya noong 122nd Police Service Anniversary ng Police Regional Office 13 sa Butuan City.

Wala pang komento ang Vice Presidente tungkol sa pinakahuling kaganapan sa confidential funds.

(ai/mnm)

By Liza Soriano

THE budget deliberations of the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Office of the Vice President (OVP) have been delayed for a day.

Deliberations on DepEd and OVP are supposed to be on Tuesday, however, it has been moved to Wednesday due to a conflict in schedule.

Education Secretary and Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio was supposed to attend the deliberations to oversee the plenary debates.

“I just would like to inquire on our schedule for today because as written in our schedule for today, after the Office of the President, there should be OVP and Department of Education… What is the estimated time that the budget deliberation for OVP and the DEPED will be deliberated today?” ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro asked.

Deputy Majority Leader and Iloilo First District Representative Janette Garin responded that the DepEd and OVP asked to move the deliberations.

“The Office of the Vice President, as well as the office of the Secretary of the Department of Education, has conveyed a message to the Committee on Appropriations as well as the Committee on Rules of a possible conflict in schedule,” Garin said.

“The deliberation of the proposed budget of the OVP as well as the DepEd has been temporarily moved tomorrow considering that we also have other agencies in the pipeline,” the lawmaker added. (ai/mnm)