POLITICAL party leaders in the House of Representatives have expressed their concerns regarding former president Rodrigo Duterte’s recent comments, which came shortly after his daughter incurred a loss of P650 million in confidential funds allocated for the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) in the proposed 2024 budgets.
In a joint statement, these leaders pointed out that the decision to reallocate these confidential funds to security agencies, particularly given the escalating tensions with China, was made in the paramount interest of national security.
Furthermore, they clarified that this decision was made to benefit the nation and was not meant as a personal affront to any individual, including Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio.
“We, leaders of all political parties in the House of Representatives, take utmost exception to the remarks made by former President Rodrigo R. Duterte. Our institution, the House of Representatives, has been unwavering in its dedication to the Filipino people. It is deeply unfortunate that the former President chose to malign the very institution that for years supported many of his own legislative priorities,” their statement said.
They pointed out that Congress has also allocated no confidential or intelligence funds to various other civilian departments, including Agriculture (DA), Foreign Affairs (DFA), and Information and Communications Technology (DICT).
“We call upon the former President and all parties involved to avoid making threats or insinuating harm against any member of the House or the institution itself. Dialogue and understanding should always be at the forefront, superseding divisive rhetoric. Our foremost duty as public servants is to the Filipino people, and it is incumbent upon us to rise above personal and political divides to prioritize their welfare and the nation’s advancement,” read the statement.
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