House denies having confidential, intelligence funds

First regular session of the 19th Congress, May 31, 2023. (Screenshot: House of Representatives/YouTube)

By Christine Fabro

The House of Representatives (HOR) on Wednesday, Oct. 11, denied allegations that it has confidential and intelligence funds.

“The House has no confidential and intelligence funds. All line items in our budget are subject to regular accounting and auditing rules and regulations,” Secretary-General Reginald Velasco said in a statement.

“Laging bukas po ang aming libro sa Commission on Audit,” it further read.

This after former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte said in a media interview that the lower chamber must be transparent in its government expenditures.

According to Velasco, the HOR, under the leadership of Speaker Martin Romualdez, is “in agreement with former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte that government expenditures should be transparent and fully auditable.”

He also clarified that the House has no disallowances based on its last audit report.

“As per latest COA report released only last October 2, the House of Representatives has no disallowances. No notice of suspension and no notice of charge.” – ag

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