Confidential Funds Should Not Be Judged Negatively, Says Lawmaker
MANILA, Philippines — Tingog party-list Rep. Jude Acidre emphasized that confidential funds should not be judged negatively just because some officials have abused their secrecy. In fact, Acidre believes that confidential funds play a vital role, especially in addressing security concerns in certain areas.
During a press briefing at the Batasang Pambansa complex, Acidre responded to Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo’s decision, announced in her inaugural address, to remove confidential funds from her local government’s budget due to limited resources. Another local official from Cebu province followed suit. However, Acidre cautioned against a one-size-fits-all approach, stressing the importance of assessing the usefulness of confidential funds on a case-by-case basis.
“For me, honestly […] this is my personal opinion, we should not judge funds because of the officials who abused it. We have to also learn, we must also be able to ascertain the usefulness of certain mechanisms with the merits, with the good that they are able to do. And the same is case with confidential funds,” Acidre remarked in a mix of Filipino and English.
He further noted that some local government units (LGUs) rely on confidential funds to address security threats. Removing these funds without considering local circumstances might weaken their ability to respond effectively.
Calls for Stricter Implementation of Confidential Funds
Acidre urged reforms to prevent misuse of confidential funds. He suggested institutionalizing stricter guidelines, similar to those introduced by the 19th Congress. “Maybe we have to institutionalize as law the joint memorandum circular used now, and possibly create focused legislation on the accountability of special disbursing officers (SDOs), plus their qualification, regarding the use of fidelity bonds of our SDOs and all those who have custody of confidential funds,” he explained.
He pointed out that regulatory gaps have allowed mismanagement and abuse, signaling the need for tighter control and clearer accountability mechanisms.
Controversies Over Confidential Funds Misuse
The misuse of confidential funds has been a major topic in 2024, particularly following investigations into Vice President Sara Duterte’s offices, including the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd). Hearings revealed suspicious signatures on acknowledgment receipts (ARs) for confidential expenses, raising questions about the legitimacy of these transactions.
Some names signing the ARs appeared fictitious or inconsistent. For instance, one name resembled a restaurant and snack brand, while another official’s signatures varied across documents. These individuals were not listed in official government databases.
Additionally, officials admitted that Duterte instructed the release of confidential funds to persons not officially designated as special disbursing officers. For example, Gina Acosta, OVP’s SDO, said she delegated fund release to the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group chief. Similarly, former DepEd SDO Edward Fajarda revealed that during Duterte’s time as Education secretary, Col. Dennis Nolasco was assigned to handle confidential fund disbursements.
Youth Training Program and Fund Allocation Questions
Lawmakers also scrutinized claims that confidential funds were used for youth training programs, such as the Youth Leadership Summit (YLS), an anti-insurgency campaign for young Filipinos. Despite DepEd stating it allocated P15 million from confidential funds, testimony showed that the Philippine Army and LGUs bore most of the program’s expenses.
At a hearing, a military official confirmed that the AFP and local governments funded the YLS, contradicting DepEd’s statements.
Impeachment and Legal Action
The controversy over confidential funds was among the issues raised in the impeachment proceedings against Sara Duterte. On February 5, 215 lawmakers signed and filed the fourth impeachment complaint against her. Subsequently, on June 10, the House adopted a committee report recommending criminal charges against Duterte and other officials connected to her office.
Acidre’s stand highlights the need to balance transparency and security in the use of confidential funds. Instead of outright removal, he advocates for reform and stricter enforcement to ensure these funds serve their intended purpose without abuse.
For more news and updates on confidential funds, visit Filipinokami.com.