Metro Manila, Philippines – Lawmakers flagged on Sunday, Sept. 1 the Office of the Vice President’s supposed duplication of government programs.
Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel and ACT Teachers Party-list Rep.France Castro said Vice President Sara Duterte’s social assistance program is somehow similar to that of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Pimentel noted the vice president’s main role.
“The Vice President’s budget should be used for essential preparations — seminars, briefings, and other activities that ensure she is ready to assume the presidency if required. This is what the Constitution demands, and this is where our focus should be,” the senator said in a radio interview.
“Ang role ng vice president ay maging palaging handa na maging president sakaling may mangyari sa nakaupong president. Hindi na niya role ang mamigay ng school bags. Hindi na niya role ang magpatakbo ng mga bus. Sayang ang oras nila r’on,” he said.
[Translation: The vice president’s role is to always be ready to become a president in case something happens to our current one. It is not her role to distribute school bags or deploy buses.]
Castro, meanwhile, said she will oppose the OVP’s allocation for social aid.
“Given the previous misuse of confidential funds, we must ensure that public funds are allocated and utilized properly. Hindi natin pwedeng payagan na maglaan ng hiwalay na budget para sa social services sa isang opisina na may kaduda-dudang track record,” she said in a statement.
[Translation: We cannot allow the allocation of a separate budget for a department that has a dubious track record.]
“The DSWD has the mandate and expertise to handle social services. By funneling the budget to the DSWD, we can ensure that the funds are used properly and reach those who need them most,” the congresswoman said.
The Commission on Audit earlier directed Duterte to return ₱73 million in confidential funds that were disallowed because of improper use.
https://www.newswatchplus.ph/news/2024/8/27/ovp-notice-of-disallowance.html
Bayan Muna chairperson Neri Colmenares called for accountability on the issue as the money could have been used to benefit the public.
“The PHP 73 million wasted could have been used to provide substantial support for public health, education, and other social services. For instance, this amount could have provided millions of kilos of rice for hungry families, or funded thousands of scholarships for underprivileged youth,” he said in a separate statement.
Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville Luistro revealed that Duterte tried to stop the Commission on Audit (COA) from submitting the audit report but failed.
“This scrutiny is not just about legality; it is about ensuring that the people’s money is used in a manner that truly benefits the public. When an official attempts to hide spending details, it undermines the very trust that the public places in its leaders,” she said.
Michael Poa, Duterte’s spokesperson, defended that the COA findings are “far from being final” as it is subject for appeal.
He also said that social welfare programs are not new and even Duterte’s predecessor had social welfare programs.
“These programs are not duplications, as the very purpose is to augment the services being provided by other agencies, especially in underserved communities,” Poa told NewsWatch Plus.
“As to allegations of potential misuse — these are speculations that are without proper basis. Utilization of funds pertaining to social welfare programs go through regular audit. And since the time the Vice President assumed office in July of 2022, the OVP has consistently maintained an unqualified/unmodified opinion from the Commission on Audit which goes to show that funds have been properly utilized and disbursed,” he said.
During the House of Representatives’ hearing on the OVP’s proposed P2-billion budget for 2025, Duterte had a consistent answer to representatives’ queries: “I will forego the opportunity to defend the OVP 2025 budget proposal by question and answer and I will leave it to the House of Representatives to decide on the proposal.”
Budget deliberations have been deferred, an unprecedented move as previous budget discussions for vice presidents’ budgets had been passed quickly.
