In response to the recent congressional session, netizens and some lawmakers have criticized Vice President Sara Duterte for spending 125 million Confidential and Intelligence funds in just 11 days.

“Interesting question. Pero tanong natin ang Philippine Coast Guard. They spent ONLY 118M of confidential and intel funds in a span of 17 YEARS! The OVP squandered 125M in 11 DAYS during Christmas season!” Said Ryan Kim in his Facebook post.

“Among the two, one is currently facing actual threats from China, the other is Xi Jinping’s ass-licker and a traitor to our country whose mandates don’t necessarily require CIF funds to REALLY function. You tell me which is which.” Kim added.

Mark Anthony Almajose also expressed his disgust regarding the Office of the Vice President’s expenditure of P125 million.

“11M a day ang inubos ng OVP ni Sara walang H… habang nag-aaway-away ang mga Pilipino ngayon kung pano pagkakasyahin ang 1k sa isang linggo.” Almajose said.

“Partida wala pang CIF sa line item ng budget nyan nung 2022. May tawag dyan e. AUDACITY. Mas malala ito sa KAPAL NG MUKHA. Genuine na Jap wagyu beef with no extenders po ba ang ulam nyo sa opisina araw-araw para ganyan kayo katakaw?” Almajose added.

“Hahaha napabuntong hininga c Quimbo.” Said Betty Fuensalida over Rep. Stella Quimbo’s response to Rep. Arlene Brosas.

Other commenters even urged the “31 Million supporters of Marcos-Duterte” to defend the vice president and her use of confidential funds.

“Laban 31M. Kaya pa depensehan yan! Unity lang po”. These are the words Angelita Tana Geraldez said in a Facebook comment.

Another commenter also shared the same expression. “Pasok 31 Minions! Si madam speaker lalim ng hinga Di maatim 19 days gone by the wind!” Said Phen Ordanoso-Udarbe.

COA affirmed OVP spent CIF in 11 days

The Commission on Audit (COA) revealed yesterday that the Office of Vice President Sara Duterte used the contentious P125 million in confidential funds in just 11 days in 2022.

The COA disclosed the information during the fifth day of the House of Representatives plenary deliberations on House Bill 8980, also known as the 2024 General Appropriations Bill.

11 not 19 days- Quimbo to Brosas

During budget plenary debates in the House of Representatives, Rep. Stella Quimbo (Marikina) revealed that the Office of the Vice President spent its P125 million confidential funds in just 11 days — even faster than the 19 days initially detailed by Makabayan lawmakers.

“Ang totoo po ay nagulat din po ako nung mabasa ko ang mga balita na tila nagastos po sa loob ng 19 days [ang CF]… Tinanong ko po ang COA (Commission on Audit) at tiningnan ko po ang mga iba’t ibang mga reports pero hindi po ito nagastos sa loob ng 19 days kung hindi 11 days po,” Quimbo said.

Quimbo was speaking on behalf of the Commission on Audit (COA) during a plenary debate on the projected 2024 budget.

Gabriela Partylist Rep. Arlene Brosas, who pointed out that it meant the OVP spent about P11 million each day during the 11-day period in December 2022, was obviously shocked by the discovery.

“Eleven days, ang hirap isipin kasi parang kung surveillance yan, ilang reward payment po yan na aabot ng P11 million per day,” Brosas said.

Quimbo claims that the COA has requested more information and documentation from the OVP to substantiate its use of the P125 million in secret funds in 2022.

AOM issued by COA to OVP

Quimbo stated that the COA issued an Audit Observation Memorandum (AOM) for the OVP to respond to in September after the OVP had already submitted its liquidation report in January 2023.

“Ang audit observation memorandum na yan ay nagko-convey po ng request for additional documents mula sa Office of the Vice President para po makapagpaliwanag sila ng ilan sa mga expenses,” Quimbo said.

Quimbo stated that because agencies have 15 days to respond to an observation memorandum, the COA plans to complete the OVP 2022 secret fund audit by November 15 of this year.

Quimbo emphasized that AOM is “confidential in nature,” but that by publishing it, COA is conveying its need for more papers from the OVP to clarify specific expenditures.

The COA’s projected budget for 2024 is P13.360 billion, which is part of the P5.678 trillion national budget.

Duterte has not yet commented on the findings of COA. However, the OVP said in a press release that “we have not yet received an AOM from COA.”

Special oversight committee on CIF discussed

Rep. Quimbo proposed the establishment of a House special oversight committee during the same discussion to ensure transparency in the use of confidential and intelligence funds (CIF) by government entities.

According to Quimbo’s plan, this oversight committee for CIF will consist of three members from the majority bloc and one from the minority group. Its primary responsibility is to ensure the wise and appropriate utilization of CIFs.

Under the current setup, access to information regarding CIFs is limited to the President, the Senate President, and the Speaker of the House.

“Naniniwala ako na ang kaban ng bayan ay dapat ginagastos para sa kaunlaran ng bayan. This can only be achieved with a stronger push towards transparent governance. The special committee will have the privilege of complete access to the reports submitted under Joint Circular 2015,” Quimbo said.

“With this special oversight committee in place, COA (Commission on Audit) can be assured of a partner in its bid for transparency in the use of confidential and intelligence funds,” she added.

Sen. Hontiveros again slams OVP

Recently, Sen. Risa Hontiveros slammed the OVP once more after it was revealed that Duterte spent P125 million in confidential funds in 11 days, not 19, as originally stated.

“Anong uri na naman ng magic ang ginamit nila para ubusin ang P125M sa loob ng 11 araw? Hindi na lang yan spending spree. Yan ay paglapastangan sa mamamayan.” Hontiveros said in a statement.

“Napakagaspang. P11 million kada araw? Daig pa ang may patagong credit card sa national budget. Hindi niyo pera yan!” Hontiveros added.

The senator also cited a statement from Philippine Coast Guard spokesman for West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela and its use of confidential funds.

“Yung ating Coast Guard sa West Philippine Sea, araw-araw binabantayan ang sumpong ng China. 17 years pinagkasya ang P117 million na confidential funds. Ang OVP, hindi man lang umabot sa dalawang linggo.”

“What can VP Sara show for it? Nagmass 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?” Hontiveros said.

“Babalik lang tayo sa paulit-ulit na tanong: Saan niyo dinala ang pera? Naghihintay ng resibo ang buong Pilipinas.” she added.

Photo: Inday Sara Duterte FB