MANILA, Philippines – An opposition legislator forced Sara Duterte’s Office of the Vice President (OVP) to admit that cash was used to distribute the P125 million it received in 2022, but it argued the confidential fund was depleted in 19 days, not 11.
“Was the P125 million disbursed in cash?The OVP was questioned by House Assistant Minority Leader Arlene Brosas of Gabriela on September 27 during discussions on the House’s planned 2024 budget.
OVP’s budget sponsor, Davao de Oro 1st District Representative Maria Carmen Zamora, responded, “That is correct.”
Brosas was shocked by the revelation and had trouble conceiving how more than 100 million pesos had been spent in less than three weeks.
