Duterte confidential, intel funds scrutinized

LAWMAKERS CONTINUE to question the controversial P500 million confidential and intelligence funds of the Office of the Vice President (OVP).

Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros said she wanted to know the priorities of the OVP and where it will use the confidential and intelligence funds. “I'll pursue in plenary, during the period of interpellation and amendments, one of my main subjects of debate with the OVP regarding the confidential and intelligence funds,” Hontiveros said. 

Vice President Sara Duterte insisted that the confidential fund is for the safe, secure and successful implementation of the programs, projects and activities, and engagements of the OVP. 

Even Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III raised questions as he scrutinized the inclusion of confidential funds in the OVP budget for 2024. During the Finance Subcommittee A hearing on the proposed P2.385 billion 2024 budget of the OVP, Pimentel pointed out that while Duterte already manifested her office could live without a P500 million confidential fund, the OVP still included it in its proposal to the Department of Budget and Management. 

“When you look at the Constitution and any other law, what legal basis led us to include it in the proposed budget… that P500 million confidential fund?” Pimentel asked. 

In response, Duterte cited Joint Circular 2015-01, Section 3.7, defining the confidential fund. 

Senator Win Gatchalian also questioned OVP’s so-called “Libreng Sakay Program,” noting that the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has the same point-to-point program and is being funded by the national government. 

“How is this different and how is it being synchronized with the DOTr's point-to-point program... I just want to understand how these two programs are working together,” he asked. 

Duterte’s Chief of Staff Usec. Zuleika Lopez said the OVP has an existing memorandum of agreement with the DOTr on the project of Libreng Sakay program. She said the OVP supports the DOTr program by providing buses to the DOTr. 

Senator Bong Go, an ally of Duterte, said he supports the “bulk of the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) budget” for next year which will be used for programs such as medical and burial assistance to aid indigent individuals and families. 

Go said the OVP’s proposed budget complements other health care programs of the government. “I trust Vice President Sara Duterte. I know she will continue her programs for the people, especially the indigent and those badly need them. Again, I reiterate my full support for the budget of the Office of the Vice President,” he said. 

Not only was Duterte's huge confidential and intelligence funds questioned, Senator Imee Marcos sought explanation on the “inordinate number” of security personnel commissioned by Duterte’s office. 

Marcos said the 433 security personnel, under the newly formed Vice President Security and Protection Group (VPSPG), had been an issue since it was created in June 2022. “I think there were comments about the inordinate number of security that were already

established. Is there an explanation for such a large number (security personnel), because it has been criticized by both the media and Congress?” Marcos said. 

But OVP Asec. Lemuel Ortonio pointed out that the security personnel aim to secure the safety and protection of the current and future vice presidents. According to the Commission on Audit, the 433 security personnel are now the 63% of OVP staff or a 455% increase from the 78 detailed military personnel during the previous administration. 

In the end, the Senate’s Committee on Finance eventually approved the OVP’s proposed P2.3 billion 2024 budget. (Bibo Nueva España, Mindanao Examiner)