From the Newsrooms: Confidential funds still an issue; Same ballooning of funds observed for Davao City during Mayor Sara Duterte’s term

A rundown of key events and issues covered by newsrooms from September 25 to October 1, 2023

THE HOUSE might have ended plenary deliberations for the 2024 General Appropriations Bill last September 27. But the chamber seems poised to probe further into the controversial confidential funds (CF), particularly those of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and Department of Education (DepEd). 

Some print and TV reports reported on September 29 that the House has formed  a “small committee” to study the realignment of CFs of civilian agencies. Scheduled to formally convene on October 2, the committee is composed of four lawmakers: Zamboanga City Representative Manuel Jose Dalipe, 4PS Party-list Representative Marcelino Libanan, Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Elizaldy Co and Marikina City Representative Stella Quimbo. 

Notably, Quimbo, who had been shown in the news coverage as a staunch advocate of the OVP’s CF, assured the media on September 29 that the OVP and DepEd, both headed by Sara Duterte, will suffer cuts, along with 8 agencies that Quimbo did not name.  

But the media did not indicate whether these assurances have inspired public confidence. Apart from reporting what Quimbo said, reporters did not provide information about how the “small committee” would proceed and how much of its discussion would be made public. 

Media did cite opposition lawmakers who called out the formation of the “small committee.” Both Albay Representative Edcel Lagman and ACT Party-list Representative France Castro said the move was unconstitutional, as changes in the budget should not be made after plenary voting and approval. Cited in The Philippine Star on October 1, Lagman said that small committees have “long been a tradition” in the House to review bills that have already hurdled the third and final reading, so no one really questions the practice.

Media reported these points along with other decisions announced by Quimbo, without questions from reporters. The failure to interrogate the process reflects the inadequate knowledge of journalists assigned to cover the budget process from day to day.

Those assigned to report on budget hearings should be sufficiently equipped to raise questions based on constitutional provisions. It would serve as a check on maneuverings that are questionable, even clearly disallowed. 

The force exercised by members of the ruling coalition in Congress allowed the CFs to pass quickly, drowning out questions that should have been discussed openly by the House. Now the same leaders who railroaded the budget through the House have been forced to review the budget they approved.

As the system of check-and-balance fails, media should step up and fulfill their duty as watchdog of power, of any of the three branches of government. 

Davao City’s confidential funds

Quimbo’s second thoughts led to a reopening of Sara Duterte’s record as Davao City mayor, which shows the customary allocation of huge amounts of CIFs at her disposal during her term.

Citing “documents,” Rappler first reported on September 29 that Duterte’s CF for Davao City ballooned from PHP 144 million in 2016 to PHP 460 million in 2022, her last year as mayor of the city. Philippine Daily Inquirer, The Philippine Star and other online news outlets reported the same on October 1, citing the Commission on Audit’s reports as source. The reports noted that the cumulative amount of PHP 2.697 billion for Duterte’s six-year term as mayor was higher than the CFs of other wealthier local governments such as Cebu City, Makati City, Quezon City and the City of Manila.

News accounts said Duterte was unavailable for comment. The Star’s report on October 1 cited officials defending the need for CFs of local government units (LGUs), but it neither referred to the COA’s findings for Davao City nor discussed whether the huge amounts were justified. Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos, himself a former mayor of Mandaluyong City, told The Star that LGUs are allowed by law to use CFs for peace and order programs. Meanwhile, The Star cited Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri’s radio interview in which he estimated that 90 percent of LGUs have CFs.

It certainly looks like there is enough money to go around. The logical questions should track their use and benefits for citizens.

Meanwhile, media picked up developments on other fronts: 

• An inter-agency operation confiscated 530 kilograms of shabu (crystal meth), valued at PHP 3.6 billion in a warehouse in Mexico, Pampanga last September 27. The Bureau of Customs said the drugs were smuggled from Thailand and through the port of Subic, which Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said is now under close watch. Media have yet to follow up on new strategies of the government to combat the entry of billions-worth of drugs.
  
• Almost a week since media reported China’s installation of floating barriers in Bajo de Masinloc, President Marcos finally spoke up on September 29 to reiterate his commitment to protect the West Philippine Sea. He told reporters in an ambush interview in Surigao del Norte that the government is avoiding hostilities, but he saw the need to remove the barriers.
  
• On a more positive note, Filipino pole vaulter EJ Obiena brought home the Philippines’ first gold in the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China last September 30. Obiena set the meet’s new record at 5.9 meters. Reports said Obiena ended the country’s nearly three-decade medal drought in the Asian Games; it was in 1994 that Elma Muros bagged a bronze medal in the women’s long jump tournament.