HOUSE Speaker Martin Romualdez said he is prepared to assist Vice President Sara Duterte with her budget requests.
The speaker made this statement in response to the Vice President’s speech regarding confidential funds.
“We are also open and welcoming the OVP (Office of the Vice President) and the secretary to give us suggestions, recommendations, or whatever requirements or needs that the department or her office needs,” according to House Speaker Martin Romualdez, House of Representatives.
During the 122nd Police Service Anniversary celebration of the Police Regional Office 13 in Butuan City on Wednesday, October 4, VP Sara, who also serves as the Secretary of Education, emphasized the importance of confidential funds.
“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 time frames. We must remain committed to providing the necessary resources for our security forces to fulfill their duties and protect our nation,” Vice Pres. Sara Duterte, Republic of the Philippines, stated.
‘‘So, yes, we are one. We really are one with the Vice President in ensuring that confidential and intelligence funds are always part of the equation and, of course, best left with the agencies and departments that are most and best suited. It’s just a matter of prioritizing and ensuring that,’’ House Speaker Romualdez said.
In the proposed 2024 National Budget, several government agencies, including the Office of the President (OP) and the Office of the Vice President (o, have a total allocation of ₱10.14-B for confidential and intelligence funds.
When combined, the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education (DepEd) will have around ₱650-M in confidential funds in the 2024 National Budget.
On September 27, the House of Representatives decided to review and realign confidential funds from civilian agencies to agencies tasked with monitoring and protecting the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
“And so, we know that the West Philippine Sea has become a very, very top issue of the day. Incidents of incursions into our area, incidents with our fisherfolk, and we would like to make sure that the confidential and intelligence funds are most properly utilized by agencies and departments that are best suited, particularly in these aspects of deploying proper resources and personnel for the promotion of our peace and security,” House Speaker Romualdez, stated.
The small committee formed by the House aims to provide an update on the planned realignment of confidential and intel funds on October 10.