The office of Vice President Sara Duterte attempted but failed to prevent the Commission on Audit (COA) from submitting to Congress an audit report that declared as improper her office's spending of confidential funds in 2022, Batangas Rep. Gerville "Jinky Bitrics" R. Luistro said Sunday.
This even as a militant solon bared she will oppose the budget allocation requested by the Office of the Vice President (OVP) for fiscal year 2025, particularly the funds designated for social aid.
Luistro praised COA for upholding Congress' authority to review the damaging audit report, which ordered the Vice President to return ₱73 million out of the ₱125 million in confidential funds that were spent within just 11 days in December 2022.
The lady solon said the OVP attempt to stop COA from releasing the report is tantamount to "suppression of public information."
Luistro emphasized that the Constitution grants Congress the explicit power to scrutinize the budget allocations and spending patterns of all government agencies, including the Office of the Vice President. This authority is fundamental to the system of checks and balances in a democratic government, ensuring that public funds are used responsibly and transparently.
"The Constitutional power of Congress to review the spending of public funds is not just a right but a duty. It is our responsibility to ensure that every peso of taxpayers' money is spent for its intended purpose and not misused," Luistro stated. "This scrutiny extends beyond merely approving budgets—it involves a continuous evaluation of how these funds are actually spent, particularly when it comes to sensitive allocations such as confidential funds."
She further explained that the oversight function of Congress includes examining the spending patterns of agencies to determine if their heads are fit to manage public funds. Mismanagement, especially when involving large sums within short periods, calls into question the capability and integrity of those in charge.
"Confidential funds are intended for specific, sensitive purposes that require a higher degree of discretion. However, this does not mean they are exempt from oversight. The public has a right to know if these funds are being used properly, and it is the role of Congress to ensure this through audits and other investigative measures," Luistro added.
In a letter dated Aug. 21, 2024, just six days before the House Committee on Appropriations was scheduled to hear the OVP budget, Duterte's Undersecretary and chief of staff, Atty. Zuleika Lopez, advised COA against complying with the committee's subpoena duces tecum for the Notice of Disallowance and audits of the OVP and Department of Education's (DepEd) confidential funds for 2022 and 2023.
The OVP argued that releasing the audit reports would violate the "Constitutional Principle of Separation of Powers" and infringe on the OVP's "right to due process." "The subject subpoena may not be validly enforced due to the nature of confidential funds," the OVP claimed.
However, Luistro refuted these assertions, pointing out that the principle of separation of powers is not absolute and has well-established exceptions. She further emphasized that Congress had provided the Vice President with ample due process to explain the findings in the contentious audit report.
"The principle of Separation of Powers ensures that no branch of government operates unchecked. But when it comes to the oversight of public funds, this principle must yield to the need for transparency and accountability. The Vice President was given every opportunity to explain the spending but chose instead to obstruct the process," Luistro remarked.
Luistro reiterated that Congress has the constitutional responsibility to scrutinize the budgets of all government branches to ensure that taxpayers' money is spent appropriately and transparently.
"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 concluded.
Meanwhile, ACT Teachers Party-List Rep. France Castro over the weekend announced her intention to oppose the budget allocation requested by the OVP for the next fiscal year.
“We cannot allow the allocation of a separate budget for a department that has a dubious track record,” Castro said.
She highlighted the alarming track record of Vice President Sara Duterte in managing public funds, citing the recent directive of the Commission on Audit (COA) for the Vice President to return ₱73 million in confidential funds that were disallowed due to improper use.
“The COA’s findings are clear. If the OVP cannot properly manage its P73 million confidential funds, how can we entrust them an even higher budget?This is about protecting taxpayers’ money from potential misuse,” she said.
During the last budget briefing, Castro noted that Duterte failed to provide adequate explanation on how taxpayers’ money was spent.
“We asked, and the Vice President could not give clear answers. ‘Sinimot’ niya ang confi funds pero ayaw niyang i-explain kung paano ginami,” Castro lamented.
“How can we, as lawmakers, justify giving her more funds when she cannot even account for the money she has already spent? Again, this is not about “politicizing” — ito ay tungkol sa pagprotekta ng pinaghirapan, pinagtrabahuan at pinagpawisang pera ng bawat Pilipino (this is about protecting the hard-earned money of every Filipino),” Castro pointed out.
The lawmaker also added that the budget for social services should be channeled directly to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) instead of being allocated separately to the OVP.
“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," Castro said.
She suggested that the OVP, like senators, congressmen and LGU officials, receive allocations through the DSWD should they have specific initiatives that they wish to pursue.
“This approach not only promotes transparency and accountability but also ensures that funds are managed by an agency specifically trained and equipped to handle social welfare programs," Castro said.
“As lawmakers, we are simply fulfilling our duty,” she said. “It is our responsibility to scrutinize how public funds are spent. We owe it to the Filipino people to ensure that their money is used wisely, transparently, and for their benefit, not to enrich those in power,” Castro said.
Comentários