News Roundup 27 September 2023
Sep 27, 2023 • 4 min Read
Did the OVP’s confidential funds go through proper channels? Lagman says SARO shows otherwise | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The “belatedly released” government document showing a fund release confirmed that the Office of the Vice President received its confidential funds through the Office of the President, a lawmaker said.
During the last day of budget deliberations at the plenary, Rep. Edcel Lagman (Albay, 1st District) furnished the media with a copy of the Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) that he says confirms the irregular manner in which the OVP got a hold of the P125 million in confidential funds in 2022.
The SARO, which the OVP provided the House, confirms that “the source of the 125M is the president’s contingent fund; and the purpose of the SARO is to grant confidential funds to the OVP,” Lagman said.
“The contingent fund cannot be given to an agency as confidential funds when such agency has not been allocated any confidential fund in the 2022 GAA,” he said.
Otherwise, this would derogate the clear intention of the Congress not to allocate confidential funds to the OVP which, in the first place, was not requested by the then-Vice President Leni Robredo.
Full Story at: Did the OVP’s confidential funds go through proper channels? Lagman says SARO shows otherwise | Philstar.com
DepEd urged to explain ‘missing’ line item for learners with disabilities | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — A lawmaker has questioned the Department of Education over the absence of a dedicated item for programs for learners with disabilities in its proposed 2024 budget — a critical requirement of a law that continues to be unevenly implemented more than a year since its passage.
Citing Republic Act 11650 or the Inclusive Education Act, Rep. Arlene Brosas (Gabriela Women’s Party) asked DepEd why it did not allocate a separate line item for the “Program Support Budget” (PSB) institutionalizing services for learners with disabilities.
The “missing” line item would guarantee that DepEd would implement a child-finding system to locate children with disabilities not enrolled in school and hire more specialists for learners with disabilities, Brosas said in citing RA 11650.
The PSB would also ensure that it has a specific allocation that would defray expenses in support services and purchase more materials and learning equipment for children with disabilities, Brosas added.
Separate line items in the annual General Appropriations Act effectively safeguard the budget allocated by making the fund distinct from other budgetary allocations. This makes it clear that they are earmarked specifically for learners with disabilities.
Full Story at: DepEd urged to explain ‘missing’ line item for learners with disabilities | Philstar.com
Hontiveros backs reallocation of secret funds to PCG: ‘Deserve na deserve’ | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — Senator Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday said she fully supports the proposed reallocation of confidential and intelligence funds to government agencies that protect and defend the Philippines.
This comes after Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri disclosed that similar to the pronouncement of the Congress’ lower chamber, the Senate will also transfer confidential and intelligence funds from selected government agencies to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
“Deserve na deserve nila ang dagdag na suportang ito,” said Hontiveros in a statement.
(They really deserve this additional support.)
Full Story at: Hontiveros backs reallocation of secret funds to PCG: ‘Deserve na deserve’ | Inquirer News
Libreng sakay to WPS? Manuel insists OVP projects need no secret funds | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — Would the Office of the Vice President (OVP) offer a “libreng sakay” (free ride) to the West Philippine Sea (WPS)?
If not, then minority lawmaker and Kabataan Rep. Raoul Manuel believes the OVP does not need any of its proposed confidential funds (CF) for 2024.
During Wednesday’s plenary debates on the General Appropriations Bill (GAB), Manuel posed the question to the OVP budget sponsor and Davao de Oro 1st District Rep. Maria Carmen Zamora after she maintained that OVP needs its CF allocation.
According to Manuel, OVP’s programs center on livelihood and financial aid, which deviates from the CF priorities mentioned by House leaders earlier.
“Mr. Speaker, nag-iinsist pa rin ang OVP na dapat bigyan po sila. Meron po bang mga libreng sakay na gagawin natin sa West Philippine Sea o sa mga contested na mga isla?” the Kabataan lawmaker asked.
(Mr. Speaker, the OVP is still insisting on having CFS. Are they offering free rides to the West Philippine Sea or contested islands?)
Full Story at: Libreng sakay to WPS? Manuel insists OVP projects need no secret funds | Inquirer News
