Senator Risa Hontiveros raised questions regarding the Office of the Vice President’s utilization of P125 million in confidential funds over 11 days in 2022.
This inquiry arose due to the Commission on Audit’s revelation during the deliberations on its 2024 budget, conveyed by Marikina Rep. Stella Quimbo, that the OVP had expended these funds in 11 days, contrary to the previously reported 19 days.
Hontiveros also pointed out the contrast with the Philippine Coast Guard, which had accumulated over P117 million in confidential funds over the past 17 years.
“‘Yung ating Coast Guard sa West Philippine Sea, araw-araw binabantayan ang sumpong ng China. Seventeen years pinagkasya ang P117 million na confidential funds. Ang OVP, hindi man lang umabot sa dalawang linggo,” Hontiveros said.
The OVP has indicated that the matter regarding its utilization of confidential funds and its proposed P2.3-billion budget for 2024 (which includes a proposed P500 million for confidential funds) will be addressed during discussions in the House plenary.
In response, Commodore Jay Tarriela presented information indicating that the PCG had received over P117 million in intelligence funds from 2006 to 2023.
OVP spent P125M in 11 days – Risa Hontiveros
This allocation included P118.7 million in intelligence funds allocated to the PCG from 2006 to 2023, with P10 million provided annually from 2013 to 2023.
“What can VP Sara show for it? Nag-mass hiring ba ang OVP ng libo-libong informant sa loob lang ng 11 na araw? Nagpatayo ba sila ng daan-daang safehouse sa loob lamang ng 11 na araw?” Senator Risa Hontiveros expressed concerns about the P125 million released to the OVP in late 2022.
“Babalik lang tayo sa paulit-ulit na tanong: Saan niyo dinala ang pera? Naghihintay ng resibo ang buong Pilipinas,” Hontiveros said.
Last year, Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas questioned the P500 million confidential funds that would be allocated to the Office of the Vice President and another P150 million for DepEd even though there are no funds for the construction of 167,000 classrooms and the repair of 149,000 others.
“The ovp and the DepEd are two separate entities with separate mandates. The success of the programs, activities and projects [of an agency] depends on very good intelligence [reports] and surveillance because you want to target specific issues and challenges,” defended Duterte.
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