SOME political analysts are of the opinion that Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio only gave up her pursuit of confidential funds for her office next year to avoid being a target of criticism.
“This is meant to counter the ongoing offensives being made against her and her allies by her detractors and rivals in the House,” Arjan P. Aguirre, who teaches political science at the Ateneo de Manila University, said in a Facebook Messenger chat.
Mr. Aguirre said the move may help the Vice President gain public sympathy if she appeared as the “underdog” and “the bigger person” in the argument about secret funds for civilian agencies.
“She (Ms. Duterte-Carpio) is now backtracking given the public opposition as well as the reactions of the House,” Maria Ela L. Atienza, who teaches political science at the University of the Philippines, said in a Viber message.
Office of the Vice President (OVP) Media and Public Relations chief Jefry M. Tupas did not immediately reply to a Viber message seeking comment on these views.
Citing a statement from Ms. Duterte-Carpio, Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” M. Angara told plenary last week that the Vice President would not pursue her request for P500 million in confidential funds next year “because it is seen to be divisive.”
Last week, senators ended plenary debates on the P1.874-billion budget of the OVP, pending amendments.
Ms. Duterte-Carpio will also forgo the Department of Education’s (DepEd) request for P150 million in confidential funds, asking senators to realign the funds to the country’s learning recovery program.
The House of Representatives had stripped confidential and intelligence funds for the Office of Vice President and the Department of Education next year.
The lower chamber transferred P1.23 billion worth of these budgets to security agencies amid worsening tensions with China. — John Victor D. Ordoñez
