VICE President Sara Duterte yesterday slammed critics questioning her use of confidential funds, saying “anyone who attacks or undermines funds allocated for peace and order is naturally assumed to have insidious motivations.”
“Makinig kayo sa lahat ng sinasabi sa palibot ninyo at tandaan ninyo, kung sino man kumokontra sa confidential funds ay kumokontra sa kapayapaan. Kung sino ang kumokontra sa kapayaan ay kalaban ng bayan (Listen to everything that is being said around you and remember, anyone who is against confidential funds is also against peace.
Anyone who opposes peace is an enemy of the State),” she told the 122nd service anniversary of the PNP Regional Office 13 in Butuan City on Wednesday.
The Vice President made the statement in defense of the confidential funds (CF) requested by the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd), which she also heads as concurrent education secretary, even if both agencies have no security mandates.
The OVP is asking for P500 million and the DepEd, P150 million in secret funds for next year. The two offices also got similar appropriations this year.
Duterte’s remarks comes after political parties allied with the administration coalition last week called for the realignment of the confidential and intelligence funds (CIF) of civilian government agencies, including the OVP and the DepEd, to augment the allocations of the Philippine Coast Guard and security forces at the forefront of protecting the country’s territorial interests in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) in the South China Sea.
The House committed to augment funding for the PCG, the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), the National Security Council (NSC) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) when it approved on third and final reading the proposed P5.768 trillion national budget for 2024 before it went on recess.
“Such actions (criticisms) go against the protection and well-being of our citizenry. Those who seek to compromise the security and development of our nation jeopardize the very fabric of our society and hinder our progress,” Duterte said.
Reacting, opposition lawmaker Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman said: “On World Teachers’ Day, we should be reminded that schools are temples of knowledge, not arenas of surveillance.”
“The secretary of education must be a teacher, not a centurion,” added the veteran lawyer-lawmaker.
The Vice President, who has been under fire for the OVP’s use of P125 million in confidential funds in just 19 days in December last year, told the Butuan City police officers that she wanted “to shed light on the crucial role of confidential funds in ensuring the security and development of our beloved nation.”
“Peace and order, along with education, must be protected at all costs. They are the cornerstones upon which a prosperous society is built. We must ensure that our people can go about their daily lives without fear, that our children can receive an education in a safe environment, and that our businesses can thrive without the shadow of insecurity looming over them,” she said.
Duterte said confidential funds “play a vital role in maintaining security by providing the necessary resources to address unforeseen challenges swiftly and decisively.”
Whether it is combating terrorism, tackling organized crime, or safeguarding the integrity of our nation, she said confidential funds “enable our law enforcement agencies and intelligence bodies to protect our citizens effectively.”
“They allow us to respond promptly to security threats, ensuring the safety of our people and the stability of our nation,” said the Vice President, whose leadership in DepEd is accused of placing student activists under state surveillance.
Duterte also particularly defended her use of the P125 million CIF in just 19 days, saying the allocation of confidential funds “should not be constrained by time.”
“It matters not whether it takes one day or one year of spending; what truly matters is the safety and security of our people. We cannot cap the importance of protecting our citizens based on arbitrary timeframes. We must remain committed to providing the necessary resources for our security forces to fulfill their duties and protect our nation,” she said.
The Vice President said the DepEd’s membership in the Anti-Terrorism Council and the Office of the Secretary’s membership in the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) “exemplify the department’s unwavering commitment to the protection and well-being of our learners, personnel, and other stakeholders.”
By actively participating in such bodies, Duterte said the DepEd “showcases its dedication to addressing security threats and creating a safe learning environment for our future generations.”
“In conclusion, let us recognize the vital role of confidential funds in ensuring the security and development of our nation. We must prioritize peace and order alongside education, as they are the foundation of a prosperous society. The safety and security of our people should never be limited by financial constraints or arbitrary timeframes. We must stand united against any attack on funds allocated for peace and order, as they threaten the protection and well-being of our citizenry,” she said.
