House defends confidential fund realignment
MANILA, Philippines — Former president Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte should not be offended by the decision of the House of Representatives to realign confidential funds of the latter, House members declared.
“It is essential to understand that this decision was made for the benefit of the nation and not as a personal affront to any individual, including VP Duterte,” leaders representing the super majority coalition, which support the leadership of Speaker Martin Romualdez, declared.
The beneficiaries of the House’s realignment of the confidential funds from Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education include the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (P300 million), National Security Council (P100 million) and Philippine Coast Guard (P200 million).
It is still five years away from the next presidential elections, and politicking among possible contenders at this early stage is the last thing the country needs, especially in light of economic challenges brought about by global inflation, among many others, according to lawmakers.
“The last thing we need right now is for crass, divisive politics distracting us from the possible problems that could arise from this brewing crisis,” Camarines Sur 2nd District Rep. LRay Villafuerte said, in reference to the latest news about the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
“Oil prices have begun to spike as a result of the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. The government needs to be prepared for the possible fallout resulting from this,” Villafuerte said.
Villafuerte, an ally of President Marcos, called on “perpetrators of this kind of politics at its lowest form” to back off and assist the government instead in providing solutions that will support the country’s economic renewal.
Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido Abante, for his part, appealed for calm and composure amid the heated national discussion about confidential funds as he urged the nation’s leaders to instead focus on the welfare of the Filipino people.
“It is always preferable and always more productive to dial up dialogue and dial down divisive rhetoric when we deliberate on the issues that concern our
