OVP spent confidential funds worth P125M in 11 days – COA

THE Office of the Vice President (OVP) spent P125 million in confidential funds in just 11 days last year, faster than earlier reported, according to the Commission on Audit (COA).

COA’s admission was disclosed by Marikina City Representative Stella Quimbo while sponsoring the independent constitutional body’s proposed 2024 budget at the House of Representatives on Monday. 

“The truth is that I was also surprised when I read the news that it was spent in 19 days. I asked the COA, and I looked at the various reports, but it was not spent in 19 days but 11 days,” Quimbo, who also sponsored the OVP’s spending plan, said during the plenary deliberations. 

The OVP has yet to issue a statement on COA’s report. 

Last month, ACT Teachers party-list Representative France Castro claimed that the OVP spent the P125 million in confidential funds in 2022 in only 19 days, or roughly P7 million a day. 

Quimbo said the OVP submitted its liquidation report to the COA on January 17, 2023, adding that the latter committed to finishing the audit of the confidential funds by November 15.

On September 5, the Office of the Executive Secretary said President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. had approved the transfer of P221.424 million from the 2022 Contingent Fund following the OVP’s request.

The OES said the President is authorized to approve releases to cover funding requirements for new or urgent activities of government agencies, among others, that need to be implemented during the year.

“VP Sara Duterte, 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,” it added.

The OES said the P221.424 million was released for the following purposes: Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses: a) Financial Assistance/Subsidy – P96.424 million, and b) Confidential Funds (for newly created satellite offices) – P125 million.