Butuan City, October 2023. (Photo courtesy of Inday Sara Duterte/Facebook)
The Office of the Vice President (OVP) will no longer push through with its proposal for confidential funds in its 2024 budget.
In a statement Thursday, Nov. 9, Vice President Sara Duterte said the confidential funds issue is divisive.
“The Office of the Vice President can only propose a budget to support the safe implementation of our programs, activities, and projects to alleviate poverty and promote the general welfare of every Filipino family,” she said.
“Nonetheless, 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 added.
This was earlier confirmed by Sen. Sonny Angara, the budget sponsor of the OVP at the Senate, and by Undersecretary Michael Poa.
This was welcomed by members of the Senate, including those from the minority.
“Given this latest manifestation of the vice president I commend her for now categorically stating to this house that it’s not a deferral to our wisdom. she does not want it anymore, Mr President,” Sen. Koko Pimentel said.
The Senate has finished the plenary debates on the budget of the OVP, as well as the deliberation for the 2024 budget of the Office of the President.
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said they appreciate the report on the confidential and intelligence funds of the Office of the President.
“‘Yan ang magandang reporting, na nakita kung saan talaga ginamit ang pera at may kinalabasan, may kaso na finile,” he said. – With reports from Daniel Manalastas-ag
