MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte is abandoning her demand for a total of P650 million in confidential funds for the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Office of the Vice President (OVP) under the proposed 2024 budget.

She made the declaration to the Senate yesterday, amid allegations that some senators had chosen to retain the confidential funds of the OVP and DepEd, both of which she concurrently oversees.

Sen. Sonny Angara, chair of the Senate Finance Committee, accompanied the Vice President to the Senate for deliberations on the two agencies’ 2024 budgets.

OVP will no long pursue CF, seen as ‘divisive’

“We’re in receipt of a statement from the Vice President. According to her, the OVP can only propose a budget to support the safe implementation of its activities and programs,” Angara said.

“Nonetheless, they will no longer pursue the CF. The reason why, is because it seemed to be divisive, and as the Vice President, she swore an oath to keep the country peaceful and strong,” he added.

Senator Koko Pimentel, the Senate Minority Leader, commended Duterte for dropping her request for OVP confidential funds.

“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,” Pimentel said.

DepEd secret funds be reallocated

During yesterday’s plenary debate on the DepEd budget, budget sponsor Sen. Pia Cayetano reiterated Duterte’s assertion that she is dropping her request for P150 million in confidential funds for the department.

According to Cayetano, the House of Representatives redirected DepEd’s confidential money request of P150 million to the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education Program.

“We are all parents who want to protect our children. Ang seguridad ng mga bata ay seguridad ng kinabukasan ng ating bayan. Nonetheless, DepEd will no longer pursue confidential funds,” said Cayetano, reading Duterte’s letter to her office.

Duterte, according to Cayetano, is also “humbly requesting” that the funds be reallocated to the National Learning Recovery Program instead.

The decision lies in Congress – Tolentino

Senator Francis Tolentino stated that while Duterte publicly dropped her bid for confidential funds, the final decision is still in the hands of Congress.

“The Senate can or may propose or concur with amendments. It’s no longer lodged with the OVP but the decision should come from this chamber. I just want to manifest that constitutional provision,” Tolentino said.

Meanwhile, Senate President Migz Zubiri has stated that the OVP’s confidential funds will not be restored in the bicameral conference.

“Ayaw na ni VP. Nakausap namin siya. Ayaw niyang ibalik ‘yung confidential funds,” he said.

Sen. Bato backs CIFs for OVP, DepEd

Earlier, several senators were allegedly pushing to have the CIFs returned.

According to a news report by POLITIKO issued on Tuesday, Senators Jinggoy Estrada, Robin Padilla, Christopher “Bong” Go, Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, Lito Lapid, Francis Tolentino, Cynthia Villar, and Pia Cayetano were named as supporters of restoring the CIF of Sara Duterte’s offices.

Senator Jinggoy Estrada condemned the report claiming that he, along with the other named senators, voted in favor of returning CIFs to the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd).

“We never voted with regard to all the intelligence or confidential funds,” Estrada said during Tuesday’s plenary session. “In fact, we agreed unanimously to remove all CIF. Not only of OVP and DepEd, but all civilian agencies with CIF.”

“I wish to tell the people that there was no votation that happened… I do not know who among our colleagues who leaked our conversation with this media outlet,” Estrada said. “This is the first time I encountered a scoop or leakage. This is a violation of our rules.”

Under Senate rules, a senator who violates the confidentiality of an executive session may be expelled. At the same time, the involvement of a Senate employee or official may result in dismissal.

Meanwhile, Senator Bato Dela Rosa maintains his position defending the need for CIFs in OVP and DepEd.

“I maintain my position that as far as myself is concerned ang sa akin is wala akong pakialam sa Office of the Vice President kung tanggalan nila ‘yan ng confidential fund despite it being the second-highest office of the land,” Dela Rosa said in an ANC Headstart interview.

“Alam nating may confidential fund ang Office of the President why not give confidential fund to the Office of the Vice President?” he added.

“‘Di naman dapat nating i-zero. Kung i-zero natin ‘yan ginawa n’yong inutil, sinong makikinabang? ‘Yung enemies of the state.” Dela Rosa stressed.

Photo: Inday Sara Duterte FB