Fund transfer to OVP questioned

SC asked to order return of P125M to govt treasury

A GROUP of legal and economic experts yesterday asked the Supreme Court (SC) to settle the legality of the controversial transfer of P125 million in confidential funds to the office of Vice President Sara Duterte in December 2022 sans the approval of Congress.

In a 49-page petition for certiorari, the petitioners also asked the High Court to order Duterte’s office to return the amount to the National Treasury.

“It is most respectfully prayed that this Honorable Court declare the transfer of the amount of P125 million to the Office of the Vice President as unconstitutional and that the Office of the Vice President be ordered to return the money to the government’s treasury,” the petition said.

The petitioners include former Vice President Leni Robredo’s spokesperson lawyer Barry Gutierrez, former Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairperson Christian Monsod, former Finance Undersecretary Maria Cielo Magno, former Comelec commissioner Gus Lagman, former Commission on Filipinos Overseas chairperson Imelda Nicolas, Katrina Monsod, Ray Paolo Santiago, Honorio Poblador III, Vicente “Enteng” Romano III, Rex Drilon, and Miguel Jugo.

Magno recently left her post at the Department of Finance (DOF) after she was reportedly asked to resign over her opposition to the rice cap policy imposed by President Marcos Jr. in September this year.

Named respondents in the petition are the OVP, the Office of the Executive Secretary represented by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) represented by Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman.

Duterte welcomed the filing of the petition, saying she was hoping that the High Court will be able finally put an end to the issue.

“Malugod po naming tinatanggap ang pagkakataong talakayin ang legalidad ng paglilipat ng pondo. Umaasa kami na ang dunong ng Korte Suprema ay magiging daan upang tuluyang matapos ang usapin na ito (We wholeheartedly welcome the opportunity to discuss the legality of the transfer of fund. We are hoping that the Supreme Court’s wisdom will be the way to resolve this issue),” Duterte said in a recorded video message.

Amid the