Celebrities and netizens where alike in slamming the huge chunk of the governments budget allotted to the confidential fund of the Office of the Vice President.
Based on the National Expenditure Program submitted to the Congress, the Office of the Vice President headed by Sara Duterte is asking or proposing a 500 million confidential fund, a big leap from zero confidential fund of the previous Vice President Leni Robredo and huge margin from other former Vice Presidents of the country.
The significantly increased confidential budget of the OVP drew strong criticism from various celebrities and social media figures.
Singer-actress Bituin Escalante, in a tweet, criticized the Vice President for requesting such a substantial sum for confidential funds, highlighting the stark contrast with previous Vice Presidents.
“Dati pinuntirya niyo rin si Binay sa kanyang OVP spending. Sabay hiniritan si Leni na “spare tire” lang ang VP so di kailangan ng budget. Tapos ngayon bilyon ang hinihingi mo, most of which are confidential pa?!? Garapalan lang talaga e no?”
Dati pinuntirya niyo rin si Binay sa kanyang OVP spending. Sabay hiniritan si Leni na “spare tire” lang ang VP so di kailangan ng budget. Tapos ngayon bilyon ang hinihingi mo, most of which are confidential pa?!?
Garapalan lang talaga e no? https://t.co/mGwxHOqWwm— bituin escalante (@gobituin) September 17, 2023
Former Miss International and activist Aurora Pijuan also expressed her dissatisfaction, sharing a photo of dilapidated classrooms with the caption “Funds still hidden. #Confidential.”
Vice President Duterte concurrently serves as the Department of Education Secretary.
Funds still hidden. #Confidential pic.twitter.com/AoGY6e3edV
— Aurora Pijuan (@aupijuan) September 18, 2023
Social media personality and beauty queen Mela Jabijan emphasized that honest public officials should not require confidential funds, referencing former President Leni Robredo’s tenure with zero confidential funds.
“SA GOBYERNONG TAPAT, WALANG CONFIDENTIAL FUNDS!”
https://twitter.com/missmelahabijan/status/1703206893739716971
Similarly, @arcel_ian also tweeted, “SA GOBYERNONG TAPAT, WALANG CONFIDENTIAL FUNDS!”
https://twitter.com/arcelo_ian/status/1703223762353897969
In a tweet displaying a comparison of the confidential funds of the three most recent Vice Presidents, @boombuencamino commented, “Rispek.”
Rispek pic.twitter.com/pOJcrCt7RO
— Boom Buencamino (@BoomBuencamino) September 15, 2023
Journalist Raissa Robles thanked Escalante for her tweet, which highlighted the disparity between the current and former Vice Presidents’ use of confidential funds.
“Thank you for finding out. Now we know how 4 VPs use/don’t use confidential and intelligence funds.”
Thank you for finding out. Now we know how 4 VPs use/don't use confidential and intelligence funds. https://t.co/bRfKvrkevm
— Raissa Robles (@raissawriter) September 17, 2023
@gerrycacanindin shared a similar sentiment, “The more bobo the more intelligence funds needed, ganun ba yun? Pakisagot nga Bobong Narcos at Madumb VP?”
The more bobo the more intelligence funds needed, ganun ba yun? Pakisagot nga Bobong Narcos at Madumb VP? pic.twitter.com/4EojqvDGro
— Gerry Cacanindin (@GerryCacanindin) September 17, 2023
@mxrkjxy questioned how anyone could still defend Duterte in light of these circumstances.
“halos di na tayo mapakain ng diskarte na yan habang nagpapakasasa lang sa pera ng taumbayan yang binoto niyo TAPOS SI LENI PA RIN YUNG INAATAKE??!?!?? kung pinagtatanggol mo pa yan, bakit? kung wala ka pa ring pake, bakit din?”
https://twitter.com/mxrkjxy/status/1703365674356330548
@_rainbowfighter asked if people could see how greedy @indaysara (referring to the Vice President) was or if they were turning a blind eye once again.
“Nakikita mo ba kung gaano kagahaman si @indaysara? O nagbubulag-bulagan ka na naman?”
https://twitter.com/_rainbowfighter/status/1703500414921154735
Similarly, @reynildabayan22 wondered how these budget proposals easily passed through the Senate and House of Representatives.
“OMG, 500M for 1 year???? At approved agad sa Senate at Congress? Uy tax nmin yan!”
OMG, 500M for 1 year???? At approved agad sa Senate at Congress? Uy tax nmin yan! https://t.co/CwLlqMj27U
— RhiaTown (@ReynildaBayan22) September 17, 2023
@vanilla_drops expressed disgust over the OVP’s budget but found it difficult to justify and defend its necessity.
“Daming confidential funds naman ni madumb Sara. Di naman madefend.”
Daming confidential funds naman ni madumb Sara. Di naman madefend. https://t.co/RYytkAyl1J
— Jerwel Galvan (@vanilla_drops) September 18, 2023
@crbtjstnmrk couldn’t help but exclaim, “Lord, kelan kaya magigising ang taong bayan?’
https://twitter.com/crbtjstnmrk/status/1703320546044477761
