DESPITE earlier indicating that she would seek private security, Vice President Sara Duterte currently has 335 government-provided security personnel, some of whom accompany her on international trips, according to a Commission on Audit (COA) report on the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) 2024 spending.
This revelation contrasts with Duterte’s previous statements expressing distrust in government security.
The COA report notes that while the current security detail is smaller than the 433-member Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group (VPSPG) at the start of her term in 2022, it still represents a significant allocation of government resources. The OVP also spent P5.020 million on “donations” of motor vehicles to the VPSPG.
The report also flagged other OVP spending, including P3.4 million for the “Mag Negosyo ‘Ta Day” livelihood assistance program. COA auditors noted that while beneficiaries were eligible, the OVP did not conduct thorough feasibility studies on their proposed projects.
The COA findings come amidst scrutiny of Duterte’s frequent travels, including multiple trips to The Hague to visit her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte. In December of last year, Duterte stated she was considering hiring private security due to a lack of trust in the government. The current COA report raises questions about the consistency between her words and actions regarding security arrangements and the use of public funds.
