ANG kapakanan umano ng bansa ang isinaalang-alang sa pag-alis ng kabuuang P1.23 bilyong confidential funds mula iba’t ibang ahensya sa gitna ng umiinit na tensyon sa West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Ito ang sinabi ng mga lider ng iba’t ibang partido sa Kamara de Representantes bilang tugon sa atake ni dating Pangulong Rodrigo Roa Duterte matapos na alisan ng confidential fund ang Office of the Vice President at Department of Education na pinamumunuan ng kanyang anak na si Vice President Sara Duterte.

“The decision to reallocate confidential funds to security agencies, especially in the context of escalating tensions with China, was taken in the best interest of national security,” sabi ng joint statement ng iba’t ibang partido na inilabas ni House Secretary-General Reginald Sagun Velasco.

“It is essential to understand that this decision was made for the benefit of the nation and not as a personal affront to any individual, including Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio,” sabi pa sa pahayag.

Bukod sa OVP at DepEd, nagdesisyon ang Kamara na alisin ang confidential fund ng Departments of Agriculture (DA), Foreign Affairs (DFA), and Information and Communications Technology (DICT).

“Casting these decisions in a light of personal vendettas is a disservice to the diligent members of the House of the People and the very essence of our democratic process,” sabi ng pahayag.

Sa pagdepensa sa confidential fund ng anak, nagpahiwatig si dating Pangulong Duterte na ang Kamara ay mayroong nakatagong pork barrel at sinabi na dapat suriin ng Commission on Audit kung papaano ginagastos ang pondo nito.

Sa pahayag ng lider ng mga partido, ikinalungkot nito na ginawang pag-atake ni dating Pangulong Duterte at sa halip umano na manawagan ng pagkakaisa ay inatake nito ang Kamara na sumuporta sa kanyang administrasyon.

“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,” sabi sa pahayag.

“It is deeply unfortunate that the former President chose to malign the very institution that for years supported many of his own legislative priorities,” pagpapatuloy nito.

Iginiit ng mga lider na matagal ng ipinagbawal ng Korte Suprema ang pork barrel system at sinusunod ito ng Kamara.

“Our Members are firmly committed to respecting and upholding this ruling. Rather than making sweeping allegations in the media, we advise the former president, if he has tangible evidence of wrongdoing, to present it to the appropriate authorities,” sabi pa sa pahayag.

Ang pinupuno naman umanong extraordinary and miscellaneous funds ay bahagi ng standard budgetary allocation na nasusuri ng COA.

“In fact, these funds are subject to the rigorous oversight of the Commission on Audit (COA), the constitutionally mandated body responsible for examining all government expenditures,” sabi pa ng pahayag.

“It is worth noting that, per COA, the House of Representatives passed all levels of audits. There were no red flags, no disallowances, and no suspensions – a testament to our commitment to fiscal responsibility and transparency,” saad pa nito.

Ang inalis na confidential fund ay inilipat sa National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (P300 milyon); National Security Council (P100 milyon); Philippine Coast Guard (P200 milyon); Department of Transportation (P351 milyon); Government Assistance to Students and Teachers ng DepEd (P150 milyon); Cybercrime Prevention, Investigation and Coordination Program ng DICT (P25 millyon); operasyon ng Department of Foreign Affairs (P30 milyon); Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources’ MOOE (P30 milyon); at Office of the Ombudsman’s MOOE (P50.4 milyon).