ADMINISTRATION lawmakers yesterday told former president Rodrigo Duterte that the House of Representatives will not be threatened and intimidated into bringing back Vice President Sara Duterte’s confidential funds.
“As the good former president should know, we, as lawmakers duly elected by our respective constituents to represent their interests, do not respond well to threats and intimidation. If his allegations have bases, then he should go to the proper channels and file charges,” Deputy majority Franz Pumaren of Quezon City said in a statement.
Pumaren also denounced the death threats made by the ex-president against members of the Makabayan bloc, particularly Rep. France Castro (PL, ACT).
In defending his daughter ‘s request for confidential funds, the elder Duterte was quoted as saying in an interview that the confidential funds for the Department of Education (DepEd) requested by his daughter would be used for the reestablishment of the Reserve Officers Training Corps. (ROTC) and to fight off communist recruiters in the educational system.
VP Sara is the concurrent secretary of the DepEd.
The former president was also quoted as saying that he told his daughter that she should have been candid and told the Makabayan bloc that they are really the target of the confidential funds and that he wants to kill Castro and all groups he branded as communists.
He likewise accused Speaker Martin Romualdez of attacking the Vice President for being perceived as a “good” presidential candidate in 2028 since the Speaker wants to run for president.
He also alleged that the House has a hidden “pork barrel” and called it the “most rotten” institution in the country.
Pumaren said the former chief executive “has gone too far” when he threatened Castro with bodily harm or even murder and urged him “to be cautious and reasonable in his criticisms (because) there are more peaceful and effective ways to send his message through.”
He said the ex-president’s statements “only divide the people and create animosity against the House of Representatives, an institution that was steadfast in its support of ex-President Duterte’s legislative agenda during his term.”
“We implore the good former president to seek the path of peaceful resolution instead of engaging in making threats and intimidation. We should unite, not divide. We are not going to be good examples to the people if we give in to these bickering,” Pumaren said.
He added: “The decision to realign the Vice President’s confidential funds is nothing personal, as several other agencies also faced the same redistribution. If the former president thinks this is wrong, our doors are always open in the House of Representatives for dialogues.”
The House of Representatives has decided to divert some P1.23 billion in confidential funds from several government agencies, including the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the DepEd, to efforts to boost security in the West Philippine Sea (WPS)
Among the agencies that were stripped of confidential funds are the OVP (P500 million) and the DepEd (P150 million).
The confidential funds were realigned, among others, to these government agencies: National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (P300 million), National Security Council (P100 million), Philippine Coast Guard (P200 million), Department of Transportation (P351 million), DepEd’s Government Assistance to Students and Teachers (P150 million), DICT’s Cybercrime Prevention, Investigation and Coordination Program (P25 million), Department of Foreign Affairs operations (P30 million), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources’ MOOE (P30 million), and Office of the Ombudsman’s MOOE (P50.4 million).
HOUSE LEADERSHIP
In a Facebook post last Sunday, Davao de Oro Rep. Maricar Zamora expressed full support for Romualdez’s leadership, where she also complimented the lower chamber for its dedication to the needs and welfare of the people.
“I stand with the House of Representatives,” she said. “Amid all the issues hurled at the House of Representatives, I want to express my full support and trust to my colleagues in Congress under the leadership of Speaker Martin Romualdez and all the employees who continue to work, regardless of there is a session or not, to bring various services to every Filipino.”
The Davao de Oro lawmaker is a member of the political party Lakas—CMD, as well as the local party Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP), which is the party of Vice President Duterte.
She was the one who defended the budgets of the DepEd and OVP during House deliberations on the 2024 national budget.
In a separate statement, the Party-list Coalition Foundation Inc. (PCFI), which is led by committee on appropriations chair Rep. Zaldy Co (PL, Ako Bicol) backed what they called Romualdez’s “exemplary leadership.”
“Foremost is our sincere appreciation for his defense of the institution, ensuring the rightful representation of 300 representatives as mandated by the Constitution. Under Speaker Romualdez’s guidance and inspiration, the House has achieved an unprecedented highest approval rating in its history, transforming it into one of the nation’s most respectable institutions,” the group said.
The PCFI said among the extraordinary actions of the House leadership was the transfer of CIFs from several civilian agencies to bolster the protection of the West Philippine Sea, which he said “showcases his (Romualdez’s) prudent and thoughtful approach, echoing our commitment as representatives to listen and respond to the voices of our kababayan.”
‘HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS’
Castro expressed her gratitude to Romualdez and other House party leaders for standing with her against the death threat issued by the former president.
“I am grateful for the support and solidarity shown by Speaker Romualdez and other party leaders during this challenging time. Their unwavering commitment to the safety and security of all lawmakers is commendable,” she said.
“This incident is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by those who dare to speak up and fight for the rights and welfare of the Filipino people. It is crucial that we continue to uphold freedom of expression and protect the voices of dissent in our democracy.”
The militant lawmaker emphasized the importance of addressing the state of impunity that allows such threats to be made against public servants as she called on the House to prioritize legislation that strengthens the protection of human rights defenders and ensures their safety.
“We must work together to create an environment where lawmakers and activists can carry out their duties and advocacies without fear of reprisal. It is our responsibility to safeguard the democratic space and protect those who champion the rights of the marginalized and vulnerable,” she said.
