JAKARTA, Indonesia – The Office of the President allowed the transfer of funds worth P221.424 million to the Office of the Vice President in 2022 upon the latter's request, the Office of the Executive Secretary said on Tuesday.
In a statement, the OES said VP Duterte requested the OP release P221.424 million for maintenance, operating, and other expenses.
These include financial assistance or subsidy amounting to P96.424 million and Confidential Funds (for newly created satellite offices) worth P125 million.
OES pointed out the legal basis for the OP to release the funds to the OVP, which were chargeable against the 2022 Contingent Fund.
The office explained that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is allowed to approve the fund transfer under Special Provision No. 1 under the Fiscal Year 2022 Contingent Fund.
"Under Special Provision No. 1, the President is authorized to approve releases to cover funding requirements of new or urgent activities of National Government Agencies, among others, that need to be implemented during the year," the OES said.
"Vice President Sara, who was newly elected then, needed funds for her new programs for the remaining period of 2022. The President supported this initiative and released the funds, with the favorable recommendation of (the Department of Budget and Management)," the OES added.
For context, Vice President Sara Duterte revealed on Monday that her office requested confidential funds in August 2022 and received them in December.
The Commission on Audit reported in its 2022 Annual Audit Report that the OVP had P125 million in confidential expenses last year despite not having an intelligence or confidential fund under the GAA.
Duterte claimed the P125 million was used legally, even though it wasn't in last year's GAA.
Senate Minority Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III raised a concern during the hearing, stating that the OVP budget for 2022 did not include confidential expenses.
Senator Risa Hontiveros also questioned the 2022 transfer of allocations to OVP's confidential funds. She demanded accountability for the unlawful and illegal financial transaction.