Dumipensa ang Malakanyang sa paglilipat ng P221.4 milyong confidential fund ng Office of the President (OP) patungo sa tanggapan ni Vice President Sara Duterte.
Ayon sa pahayag ng Office of the Executive Secretary, ang paglilipat ng confidential fund ay pagsunod sa Special Provision No. 1 ng 2022 Contingent Fund na nagbibigay ng awtoridad sa Office of the President (OP) na aprubahan ang pagre-release ng pondo.
“The release was done pursuant to Special Provision No. 1 under FY 2022 Contingent Fund. Under Special Provision No. 1, the President is authorized to approve releases to cover funding requirements of new or urgent activities of NGA (national government agencies), among others, that need to be implemented during the year,” pahayag ng OES.
Iginit ng OES na nakita ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. na kailangang suportahan ang mga inisyatibo ni Duterte.
Inilipat ang pondo base na rin sa rekomendasyon ng Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
“Vice President Sara, who was newly elected then, needed funds for her new programs for the remaining period of 2022. The President supported this initiative and released the funds, with the favorable recommendation of DBM,” pahayag ng OES.
Una nang humiling si Duterte sa OP na i-release ang P221.424 milyong pondo para sa maintenance operating and other expenses (MOOE) items gaya ng Financial Assistance/Subsidy na nagkakahalaga ng P96.424 milyon at Confidential Funds na nasa 125.0 milyon.