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)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Deviating from her usual tough persona, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte has now shown her soft side as she spread holiday cheers to children during a recent visit to Tarlac province.
Inday Sara — as VP Duterte is fondly called — played Santa Claus for the day as she presented early holiday gifts to the kids as well as gleefully read a Christmas story for them.
“Nakakataba ng puso at masaya ako na makasama muli ang mga kabataan sa ibat-ibang komunidad sa Tarlac City noong Sabado sa pagdiriwing ng 16th Belenismo sa Tarlac, isang pagdiriwang na nagdadala ng pag-asa at inspirasyon,” VP Duterte wrote on Facebook.
The country’s second-highest official added that she opened up about her joyous experience of spending time with the children, saying Christmas is truly for the young ones.
“Ako ay inatasang maging story teller ng isang kwento na pinamagatang ‘Ang Kwento ng Candy Cane.’ Ang kwento ng candy cane ay isang pagpapaalala ng pagmamahal ni Kristo sa atin tuwing Kapaskuhan,” she said.
VP Duterte was in Tarlac to attend the launch of the festive Belenismo event last week.
(ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Following the tragic deaths of two students in Taguig City, Vice President, and Education Secretary Sara Duterte has vigorously pushed for the mental well-being of the youth especially in schools, saying it’s just as important as physical health.
Inday Sara — as the VPES is fondly called by her family, friends, and supporters — stressed on Thursday (30 Nov 2023) that mental health should never be neglected since it is an integral part of a person’s overall well-being.
“Importante at mahalaga ang kalusugan hindi lamang ng katawan kundi ng ating pag-iisip lalo na ng ating mga kabataan. Hindi madali at magiging madali ang buhay pero napakahalaga na meron tayong napag-sasabihan at merong nakikinig,” she said.
VP Duterte’s advocacy for mental health intensified after attending a government briefing on the tragic deaths of two students in Taguig City.
Last November 10, students Irish Sheen Manalo, 13, and Mary Nicole Picar, 15, were found dead at about 11 p.m. inside the Girls Scout Mini Office on the third floor of Magsaysay Building of Signal Village National High School (SVNHS) in Barangay Central Signal, Taguig.
The Southern Police District (SPD) forensic team said based on the autopsy, Manalo and Picar died of asphyxia by hanging. The two were also negative in pregnancy tests done.
VP Duterte noted that life can be challenging, but it’s important to know that help is available for mental health.
She encouraged young people not to hesitate in seeking help for their mental wellness.
The VPES added that help is just a call away.
She said the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) under the Department of Health has Crisis Hotline Numbers available 24/7:
1553 (Nationwide landline toll-free)
1800-1888-1553
Globe/TM
0966-351-4518
0917-899-8727
Smart/ TNT
0908-639-2672
“Huwag matakot humingi ng tulong,” the VPES further said.
(ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — With the widening rift between the camps of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte, opposition Liberal Party (LP) president and Albay Representative Edcel Lagman has expressed hope that eventually the President will allow the investigation of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on the “bloody” war on drugs of the previous administration of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
Conflicting reports said government data shows that at least 6,252 people were killed in police anti-drug operations from July 1, 2016, to May 31, 2022 while human rights groups estimate to be between 27,000 and 30,000.
“Palagay ko naman ang ating Pangulo ay titignan yung sentiment ng Kongreso, ng House of Representatives at sa mundo naman wala namang na-close, pwede ma-open. Yung mga Executive agencies ay pwedeng magpalit ng isip kung talagang nakikita nila na tama talaga na mag-cooperate ang ating bansa sa imbestigasyon ng ICC,” Lagman told reporters on Wednesday, November 22.
In July 17, 2023 report of the Vera Files, aside from FPRRD, Vice President Sara Duterte and Senators Bong Go and Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa were named in documents submitted to the ICC.
On Tuesday, November 21, the Albay solon filed the third resolution at the House of Representatives urging relevant agencies to work with the ICC Prosecutor on the probe.
Noticeably, Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has softened his stance on the ICC when way back in July he said the international body “is not welcome here and has no business to be in the country.”
“[It] needs a serious study on our part, at the DOJ, considering we are no longer members,” Remulla declared.
With this development, Lagman expressed his belief that there has been a shift in the perspective of the majority bloc in the House.
“Kami naman e talagang matagal na naming hinihiling yun na mag-cooperate na. Palagay ko may mga pagpapalit sa mga pananaw ng majority na talagang kailangan na sundin natin ang rule of law at yung world order, kailangan mag-cooperate fully ang ating bansa sa imbestigasyon ng prosecutors ng ICC. Uulitin ko, we shouldn’t be a renegade in the international order,” he said.
Some political observers told Maharlika NuMedia that the entry of ICC early next year is possible with the obvious cracks in the UniTeam.
On Monday evening, November 20, VP Duterte was caught in video “snubbing” Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez who arrived at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City with the Philippine delegation of the President from the US.
(ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
SAYING THAT PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is “very concerned” about the effects of the earthquake, Vice President Sara Duterte has visited the wake and remains of those who died due to the magnitude 7.2 tremor that hit Davao Occidental last Friday.
On Monday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said the death toll due to the magnitude 6.8 earthquake in Mindanao went up to nine.
Eight of the reported fatalities were in Soccsksargen and one was in the Davao Region.
“Malalim ang kalungkutan na nadarama natin sa pagkawala ng mga buhay at sa lahat ng pinsalang dala ng nangyaring lindol. Ipinapaabot ko ang aking taos-pusong pakikiramay, at namigay rin tayo ng tulong pinansyal sa lahat ng mga pamilyang kasalukuyang humaharap sa mga hamong dala ng disaster,” VP Sara said in a statement on Sunday, November 19.
She serves as the country’s caretaker while the President is in the United States.
VP Sara added that Marcos Jr. has also expressed his appreciation for the quick response of all concerned government agencies.
In her separate social media posts, the Vice President claimed that she visited the bodies of six individuals in Sarangani and General Santos City.
She went to the Ladera Funeral Homes in the municipality of Glan to see the remains of a mother and child who died when a landslide hit their home in Barangay Mudan.
VP Sara also visited the remains of another victim who died after getting hit by a post in Glan, as well as the wake of three more fatalities at the Villa Funeral Homes in General Santos City.
Impeachment plans
Meanwhile, the President said VP Sara “does not deserve to be impeached” amid rumors of impeachment plans by some lawmakers.
This developed after VP Sara said she’s not interested in running for president in 2028.
“It was not my ambition to run as vice president, let alone president. You all know that I already said I have no plans to run as president,” she told reporters in an ambush interview on Sunday.
On Thursday, November 16, ACT Teachers party-list Representative France Castro, who sued former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte for an alleged death threat, disclosed there are “supposed impeachment talks” in the House of Representatives against Vice President Sara Duterte.
(ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
BELIEVE IT OR NOT Vice President Sara Duterte on Sunday said she had no desire to run for the presidency in the 2028 national elections.
Veering away from her usual combative mood, VP Duterte sounded a bit spiritual when she added that her plans for the future would be up to God.
“Lahat ng ginagawa natin [everything we do], we can only plan, but it will truly be God’s plan that will prevail,” she said.
This developed as reports of the UniTeam breaking up made big news.
“We’re okay,” Duterte said when asked in an interview with GMA News’ Jonathan Andal about her relationship with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
Meanwhile, House Speaker Martin Romualdez said there was “nothing in the offing” regarding the supposed impeachment talks against the Vice President.
To recall, House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers party-list lawmaker France Castro said late Wednesday night that certain leaders of political parties in the House were talking about impeaching Duterte.
(AI/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — The attempt to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte will only succeed if it gains the approval of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., so said former president Rodrigo Duterte’s apologist.
Drawing parallels, FPRRD’s spokesperson and human rights lawyer Harry Roque revealed on Sunday that the outspoken former Chief Executive rejected the plan to impeach his arch-critic, then Vice President Leni Robredo. Duterte believed that she did not pose a threat to his administration.
“Without the approval of the sitting president, any impeachment process not involving the chief executive is bound to fail,” stressed Roque.
Earlier, ACT Teachers party-list Representative France Castro, who sued Duterte for an alleged death threat, confirmed that there were discussions among congressmen to impeach VP Sara.
To recall, the House of Representatives felt insulted when Duterte called the lower chamber ‘the most rotten institution,’ even though he was once a member representing Davao City’s 1st District from June 30, 1998, to June 30, 2001.
The elder Duterte was furious that the House of Representatives, led by Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, stripped the P650-million confidential and Intelligence funds (CIF) for the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) that VP Sara heads as the concurrent Secretary for 2024.
Instead, the congressmen decided to realign the CIF to the agencies tasked with safeguarding the country’s security and sovereignty.
In his November 18 column for The Philippine Star, Roque reminisced that there were “several” politicians allied with the then Digong administration who wanted to impeach Robredo.
“I recall the politicians presenting the impeachment case against Robredo to then-President Rodrigo Duterte. Duterte gave the thumbs down right away. His response was: ‘What for? She does not pose a threat to the government. Most of our people would not believe her anyway,’” Roque revealed.
At that time, however, the Duterte administration was at the height of its popularity, in contrast to the present situation where VP Sara’s trust and performance ratings in recent surveys were noticeably declining, while Romualdez’s were steadily climbing.
VP Sara and Romualdez are seen as the main protagonists in the 2028 presidential race, five years from now.
(ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
MINCING NO WORDS, former Senator Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV has directly charged former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte as the brains behind the destabilization efforts against President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. that will benefit Vice President Sara Duterte if a coup d’etat succeeds.
Trillanes, who was once involved in the July 23, 2003 Oakwood mutiny in Makati City against then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, noted that the destabilization efforts did not ripen to a coup plot because of the absence of a military component due to perception among some military officers that FPRRD is pro-China.
“And besides kung si Duterte, ang feedback ha ng mga junior officers atsaka mid-ranking officers ay natu-turn off sila dahil pro-China siya. So they won’t join him. Kasi otherwise, alam nila na ang ending nito is basically letting China in again, similar to what he did from 2016 to 2022,” Trillanes bared in his interview with “Facts First” podcast hosted by Christian Esguerra on Thursday, November 16.
The former Philippine Navy lieutenant who served as Magdalo military rebel group spokesperson said the Marcos Jr. administration should be “paranoid” amid reports that only the retired generals were involved in the destabilization efforts.
Trillanes recalled that the so-called “Edsa Dos” transpired due to the instigation of some retired generals like the late President Fidel V. Ramos and former Defense Secretary Renato de Villa.
Then President Joseph “Erap” Estrada was ousted president following corruption allegations when the police and military withdrew support from his administration as several top government officials resigned and thousands of people protested on Epifanio delos Santos Ave. (EDSA) in Mandaluyong City from January 17 – 20, 2001.
Then Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo took over as acting president.
As a former coup plotter himself, Trillanes noted the various techniques of what he called Duterte influencers in agitating the public against the Marcos Jr administration and build up a “social volcano” that would later explode.
“Itong Duterte camp, they have mastered the propaganda games in social media whether gaslighting, outright lies, fake news, lahat lahat yan, gagamitin nila yan para ma-pursue nila ang agenda nila kaya naghahanap sila ng iba’t ibang isyu para ma-agitate (the public),” he said.
But they have the same narratives like saying “grabe na yung mga addict ngayon nagbalikan, grabe na ang drugs, grabe na ang crimes nawala lang si Duterte. By implication kaya kailangang bumalik ulit ang Duterte, di ba?”
“ Pero titingnan nyo yung mga nahuhuling drugs, ito yung mga kasangkot doon sa sindikato nila ng Davao group no? Kumbaga nabuko. Yung mga dating hindi hinuhuli, ngayon hinuhuli na, di ba? Tapos yung mga pulis na ginawa nilang part ng criminal syndicate, yun yung mga pinagtatanggal sa puwesto, di ba? Ngayon ang hindi magandang naririnig namin is pwede silang gumawa ng mga high profile crimes tapos ang by implication ang lalabas doon ano na weak yung ano, nagkaroon ng gulo, magulo na, chaotic yung administrasyon kaya kailangan ng pumasok.”
When asked of the Magdalo’s stance with regards to the present dispensation, Trillanes declared: “Kami sa aming grupo, talagang inalyze namin yung situation and we came to the conclusion na it’s in the interest of the country na matapos ng Marcos administration yung kanilang termino hanggang 2028. Dahil pagka ito ay na-cut short at mag-assume ang Sara Duterte as president, babalik tayo doon sa 2016 to 2022 nightmare na I hope na talagang wag naman na nating pagdaanan muli kasi para na tayong mga masokista noon kung ihangad pa natin yun, yung pangyayaring iyon.”
He was apparently referring to the six-year period of the government being subservient to China and the number of extra-judicial killings (EJKs) in the bloody campaign against illegal drugs which critics claimed to be a failed approach.
(AI/MnM)
By Junex Doronio
WITH THE SEEMING IRREVERSIBLE DECIMATION of the once powerful PDP-Laban that was “hijacked” by former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, talks are reverberating in the lower chamber about the possible impeachment of Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte for “betrayal of public trust.”
Reliable sources told Maharlika NuMedia that aside from possible arrest of the Vice President since she was also being investigated by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the “crimes against humanity” charges in relation to the bloody drug war.
In the July 17, 2023 report of Vera Files, VP Sara, Senators Bong Go and Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa were named in ICC probe documents investigating the killings related to the drug war during the previous administration and when FPRRD was mayor of Davao City.
VP Sara’s name was mentioned as knowing and approving the killings when she was city mayor, a post that her father held for more than 20 years.
She was mayor from 2010 to 2013, and from 2016 to 2022.
Vera Files report further bared that a “person knowledgeable of the ICC probe said she could be issued a ‘summons’ by the ICC. If she would not comply with the summons, she would be issued a warrant of arrest.”
Now looms the possibility of VP Duterte’s impeachment with the “mass defection” of FPRRD’s PDP-Laban to the Lakas-CMD headed by Inday Sara’s arch political nemesis Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez and to the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) which was the political vehicle of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in 2022 presidential polls.
“Impeachment is a numbers game and at this point, the Dutertes are losing their ‘magic’ in Philipines realpolitik and VP Sara could be impeached,” the same sources said.
This was bolstered on Wednesday when Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel, PDP-Laban’s Deputy Secretary General for Mindanao, revealed that only four to five members are expected to remain in PDP-Laban as more members are expected to leave in the coming days.
He said at present there are 15 remaining members of the party in the House of Representatives from the original 65 at the start of the 19th Congress.
“Well, I’m still waiting for developments but I’m already weighing my options. Most probably, I’m also transferring to another party,” Pimentel hinted.
He admitted that some members decided to leave the PDP-Laban after FPRRD tagged the lower chamber as the “most rotten institution” in the government, notwithstanding the fact that the feisty former president was once a member representing Davao City’s 1st District, from June 30, 1998 to June 30, 2001.
Notably, former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo — who was stripped of her post as Deputy House Speaker and widely known as political mentor of VP Sara — has still expressed his support for the Romualdez leadership at the 316-strong House of Representatives composed of 253 from congressional districts and 63 party-list representatives.
(AI/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
WITH THE RECENT STATEMENT OF STRONG SUPPORT of presidential sister Senator Imee Marcos for the beleaguered Duterte political family, Vice President Sara Duterte has expressed deep appreciation although she brushed off the speculation of an emerging “Inday Sara-Manang Imee tandem” in 2028.
The 67-year-old lady senator from Ilocos Norte came to the defense of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte who earned the ire of congressmen when he called the House of Representatives the “most rotten institution” despite having been a member of the lower chamber when he served as Davao City’s 1st District Representative from 1998 to 2001.
“Noong 2015, ako ang una at kaisa-isang gobernador na nagdeklara ng suporta para kay President Duterte. At, kahit ako ang nag-iisang matitira, maninindigan ako para sa kanya,” Senator Marcos stressed.
However, she did not specifically comment on the House resolution supporting the leadership of her first cousin Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez who is seen as the likely contender for VP Sara in the 2028 presidential race.
Senator Imee was also Ilocos Norte’s 2nd District Representative from 1998 to 2007.
“Magpapasalamat ako kay Senator Imee Marcos sa kanyang patuloy na pagsuporta sa pulitika sa aming pamilya,” VP Duterte said in reaction.
She also expressed her appreciation to Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Davao City Representative Isidro Ungab who failed to sign the resolution supporting Romualdez.
“Congressman Sid Ungab and Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo have my full support as a politician and as a friend,” VP Duterte noted.
(ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
DESPITE THE ANNOUNCEMENT of Vice President Sara Duterte that she would no longer pursue the P650-million total of confidential funds for the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) for next year, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III has warned that the bicameral conference committee might still restore it.
“Yan ang hindi magandang katotohanan – sa bicam, anything goes. Theoretically speaking, the bicam has the power to introduce and restore anything,” Pimentel said. “Kaya kung interesado kayo sa issue, hanggang dulo ang pagbabantay until pagreport ng bicam.”
On Friday, November 10, Pimentel called for continued vigilance as the bicameral panel composed of senators and congressmen will meet to introduce amendments to the proposed 2024 General Appropriations Act after it hurdles the upper chamber.
The two “houses” of Congress will then have to adopt the bicam committee report before it is sent to Malacañang for President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s signature to become a law.
Pimentel expressed hope that Duterte’s allies in Congress will no longer push for the reinstatement of her confidential funds.
“Sinabi na sa harap namin na ‘Ayaw ko na yan.’ Huwag na kami mag-aksaya ng panahon magdebate na bigyan natin ang taong may ayaw. We shouldn’t waste our time anymore,” Pimentel said, referring to VP Duterte’s own statement on giving up the P650-million confidential funds.
(ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
NO CEASEFIRE with Vice President Sara Duterte despite her decision to give up asking for P650 million confidential funds for the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd).
This was the firm stance of House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro who said on Friday that VP Duterte’s decision to surrender her request next year will not stop calls for her to explain the P125 million confidential funds she spent in the last 11 days of 2022.
“Hindi pa rin ito magiging sagka para igiit pa rin na ipaliwanag ng Office of the Vice President itong P125 million na ginamit niya, ni-request nya,” Castro said in an online press conference.
The ACT Teachers party-list representative said she believes that Duterte decided to abandon her confidential funds because it had become unpopular.
“Kailangan nya pa rin ipaliwanag saan ito ginamit at …. kung hindi niya ito maipaliwanag at hindi niya ito nagamit ayon sa probisyon noong.… joint circular ng iba’t ibang ahensya ay dapat na ibalik niya,” Castro stressed.
To recall, the decision of the House of Representatives to strip VP Duterte’s P650-million confidential funds for 2024 was made “in the best interest of national security.”
Lawmakers crossed party lines to rally behind Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez and castigated former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte for making threats or insinuating harm against Castro.
“Napilitan na sigurong magdesisyon ng ganito ang Vice president dahil talagang naging mabaho itong confidential fund at talagang inayawan ng taumbayan,” Castro noted.
She added: “Isa pa rin sa nagtulak siguro sa naging desisyon ni VP na ayawan na itong confidential fund dahil nagiging unpopular na yung kanyang stand at nakita naman niya maging ang kanyang mga kaalyado dito sa Kongreso ay pumanig doon sa desisyon na i-abolish sa ahensya nya at sa ibang ahensya itong confidential fund,” Castro added.
Castro urged the House of Representatives to conduct an investigation regarding the use of confidential funds to pave the way for legislation prohibiting its use.
(AI/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
IN AN UNEXPECTED DEVELOPMENT, former President and incumbent House Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Thursday congratulated Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on his high trust rating.
“I would like to congratulate House Speaker and Lakas President Martin Romualdez on the recent OCTA Research Report reflecting a +6% increase in Trust Rating to 60%,” the former president said in a statement.
According to the third quarter survey of OCTA Research conducted from September 30 to October 4, Romualdez garnered a 60% trust rating and 61% performance rating.
Both the Speaker’s trust and performance ratings increased by 6% compared to the survey conducted in July.
Arroyo’s congratulatory remarks on MR caught many by surprise as the former president is widely known to be the political mentor of Inday Sara, monicker of Vice President Sara Duterte.
The younger Duterte was instrumental in installing FPGMA as Speaker of the House of Representatives in 2018 after ousting Pantaleon “Bebot” Alvarez of Davao del Norte’s 1st district.
MR — as Romualdez supporters call him — is expected to run for president in 2028 in his bid to succeed his cousin President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
MR and Inday Sara are the main protagonists in the 2028 presidential race.
(ai/mnm)
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)
By Junex Doronio
Even though Congress has removed her P650 million confidential funds for the upcoming year, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte expressed her unwavering determination to continue serving the public.
Inday Sara — as the Vice President is fondly called — said she has committed to making government services more accessible to the public with the establishment of 10 Office of the Vice President (OVP) satellite offices across the country.
“Patuloy ang Office of the Vice President sa layuning landasin ang mga hakbang tungo sa pag-unlad at pagbabago. Ang ating dedikasyon at serbisyo ay tunay na naglalayong mapalapit ang pamahalaan sa bawat mamamayan,” VP Duterte said in a Facebook post on Friday, Oct. 27.
The House of Representatives led by Speaker Ferdinand Martin G Romualdez decided to strip the OVP and the Department of Education (DepEd) of confidential funds for 2024.
The OVP earlier asked for confidential funds of P500 million, while DepEd sought P150 million, for next year.
The lawmakers led by Romualdez decided to realign the confidential funds to the agencies with national security concerns.
Duterte recently held a meeting with officials from the OVP satellite offices in Bacolod, Isabela, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), Cebu, CARAGA, Dagupan, Davao, Bicol, Tacloban, and Zamboanga.
She explained that the OVP satellite offices were established to deliver the Vice President’s projects and programs to more people.
Among these programs are Medical and Burial Assistance, Libreng Sakay, PagbaBAGo Campaign: A Million Learners and Trees, Mag Negosyo Ta ‘Day (MTD), Disaster Operations, PanSarap Program, and Peace 911.
“Sa pamamagitan nito, hindi lamang nakasentro sa National Capital Region ang ating mga programa at naibabahagi rin natin ito sa mga malalayong lugar sa Pilipinas,” Duterte said.
(ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
JUST LIKE THE SONG “THAT’S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR”, presidential sister Senator Imee Marcos has justified her BFF (best friends forever) Vice President Sara Duterte’s request for P650 million in confidential and intelligence funds (CIF) for the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and Department of Education (DepEd) which she heads, saying they are needed to address domestic security threats.
At the same time, Sen. Imee minced no words when she saw politics as a motive behind the House of Representatives’ removal of Inday Sara’s CIF.
“Sinabi ko na noon pa na may halong galit. Hindi ko maintindihan sinong nagmamadali. Ang layo-layo pa ng 2028. Bakit binubugbog na yung frontrunner, ika nga,” the senator exclaimed when interviewed over radio station dzBB.
She added that the House’s move might be a way to sabotage Vice President Sara Duterte, who’s seen as a strong contender in the 2028 presidential race.
Ironically, Sen. Imee and Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, who is widely believed to be eyeing the 2028 presidential race, are first-degree cousins.
The President’s older sister, however, was rumored to be the running mate of VP Duterte if ever she ran for president in 2028.
“Hindi naman lahat siguro totally pulitika, pero yung sobrang galit, sobrang personal eh. Nakakaduda,” the senator quipped in reaction to Inday Sara’s critics.
She said VP Duterte’s request for confidential funds could be reinstated as budget for maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE).
“Kung talagang intel fund lang, edi tanggalin. Eh marami pang salita, marami pang banta. Nahahaluan ng kung anu-ano eh,” Manang Imee fumed. (ai/mnm)
By Vergel Labesig
VICE President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte reiterated her commitment to uplift the lives of teachers, whom she called the “architects of dreams.”
“You play a vital role in shaping not only the minds of our youth but also in molding the future of our nation. You are the guiding lights that illuminate the path to knowledge, understanding, and personal growth,” Duterte said during this year’s celebration of National Teachers’ Day on Thursday, 5 October.
“As a way of ensuring that the Department of Education listens to your pleas, we have taken substantial steps to address some, if not all of your concerns,” she said.
Duterte noted that the Department ensured that this year’s school calendar includes a well-deserved break of 30 consecutive days, free from any activities that require volunteer work.
She added that an interim guideline is being prepared to significantly and immediately reduce the administrative workload of teachers.
“This will free up your time and energy, enabling you to fully focus on the education and development of your students,” Duterte said.
DepEd, she added, procured Personal Accident Insurance through the GSIS to provide coverage for all teachers and DepEd personnel. The insurance offers up to P100,000 for accidental death or dismemberment and up to P30,000 per year for medical reimbursement due to injuries sustained in accidents.
DepEd also recently signed a memorandum of agreement with the GSIS to guarantee a dedicated and exclusive lane for teachers in all its branches and establish a specialized team to ensure that teachers’ concerns are being given proper attention.
In cooperation with GSIS, DepEd will also come up with a Supplemental Health Insurance for teachers.
By Junex Doronio
SHORT OF SAYING THAT THE COUNTRY’S SECOND-HIGHEST OFFICIAL IS OBSESSED with confidential funds, ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro has urged Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte to focus instead more on improving the quality of Philippine education.
Castro noted that Duterte seemed to be insinuating that she can no longer be scrutinized about how she will be spending her funds or else those who do so will be labeled an enemy of the state.
“Ibig sabihin nito na hindi na natin siya puwedeng matanong on accountability and transparency. Parang hindi siya makakakilos ng walang confidential funds for peace and order, national development and other related matters to her program,” Castro quipped in a TeleRadyo Serbisyo interview.
During a speech in Butuan City on Wednesday, October 4, Duterte lambasted those who oppose the P650 million confidential funds for the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education.
“Kung sino man kumokontra sa confidential funds ay kumokontra sa kapayapaan. Kung sino ang kumokontra sa kapayapaan ay kalaban ng bayan,” Duterte said.
However, it can be recalled that Duterte also told senators during the OVP and DepEd’s budget briefing that she “can live without confidential funds, but of course, our work will be much easier if we have the flexibility.”
The House of Representatives led by Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez decided to realign the confidential funds to agencies protecting the West Philippine Sea and other agencies directly engaged in surveillance and intelligence gathering.
(ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
WITHOUT NAMING NAMES, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte on Thursday shot back at those who are opposing the P650-million confidential funds for her offices, saying they are “naturally assumed to have insidious motivations.”
Senator Risa Hontiveros has assailed the proposed P500 million worth of confidential funds for the Office of the Vice President and the P150 million confidential funds for the Department of Education (DepEd), which Duterte heads as Secretary, for fiscal year 2024.
“Anyone who attacks or undermines funds allocated for peace and order is naturally assumed to have insidious motivations. Such actions go against the protection and well-being of the citizenry. Those who seek to compromise the security and development of our nation jeopardize the very fabric of our society and hinder our progress,” the feisty second-highest official of the land boomed during the 122nd police service anniversary celebration of the Police Regional Office 13 in Butuan City.
She stressed the role of confidential funds in maintaining security by providing agencies with the necessary resources to address certain challenges.
“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 warned.
Earlier, Hontiveros asked Duterte to explain how the OVP used up its P125 million in confidential funds (CF) in just 11 days.
“Anong uri na naman ng magic ang ginamit nila para ubusin ang P125 million sa loob ng 11 araw? Hindi na lang ‘yan spending spree. ‘Yan ay paglapastangan sa mamamayan. Napakagaspang. P11 million kada araw? Daig pa ang may patagong credit card sa national budget. Hindi niyo pera yan!” Hontiveros blurted out.
In the latest survey of Pulse Asia, Duterte’s approval rating notably dropped from 84 percent in June to 73 percent in the September survey.
Some political observers told Maharlika NuMedia that the issue of confidential funds may have affected “Inday Sara’s popularity.”
(ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
MULI NA NAMANG BINANATAN ni Senadora Risa Hontiveros si Vice President Sara Duterte at sinabing kahit noong mayor pa lang ito ng Davao City ay mahilig na ito sa “confidential funds” at sa katunayan ay gumasta ito ng P460 million kada taon mula 2019 hanggang 2022.
Ayon kay Hontiveros, ito ay base sa ulat ng Commission on Audit (COA) at lumabas na mga balita.
“Nakakalula ang halos kalahating bilyong confidential funds ng Davao City kada taon, kung ikukumpara sa confidential fund ng mga malaki at mayamang lungsod gaya ng Makati, Manila at Cebu na hindi man lang umabot sa P100 million,” puna ni Hontiveros.
Pinansin ng senadora ang hilig umano ni Inday Sara sa paggasta ng mga sikretong pondo na nag-umpisa mula noong mayor pa siya ng Davao City at nagpatuloy sa kasalukuyan bilang Vice President, sa kanyang paghingi ng kabuuang P650 million na confidential funds para sa Office of the Vice President (OVP) at sa Department of Education (DepEd) kung saan siya ang Kalihim.
Bagaman may “fiscal autonomy” ang mga local government unit (LGU) sa ilalim ng 1987 Constitution, tinanong ni Hontiveros ang katuwiran o ang kawastuhan ng Davao City noong mayor pa si Inday Sara na magkaroon ng “P460 million in annual confidential funds” mula 2019 hanggang 2022.
Di hamak na mas malaki ito kumpara sa taunang P10 million intelligence funds ng Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) mula 2013 hanggang 2023, dagdag ng oposisyon na mambabatas.
“While Davao City faces existing security challenges, are these challenges really so much worse than China’s incursions and abuses in our territorial waters? Inaagaw na rin ba ng Tsina ang teritoryo nila tulad sa West Philippine Sea?” tanong ni Hontiveros.
Kanyang idinagdag na babanggitin niya ulit ang kuwestiyonableng paggamit ng confidential and intelligence funds sa Senate plenary debates sa mungkahing 2024 budget.
“Ang pera ng taumbayan ay hindi ATM ng mga pulitiko na basta-basta pwedeng gastusin at ubusin,” diin pa ni Hontiveros. (ai/mnm)