West Philippine Sea (Wikipedia)

Congressmen have continued to underscore the wisdom behind the House of Representatives' realignment of confidential funds under the 2024 national budget amid persisting tension with China in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). 

Occidental Mindoro lone district Rep. Leody “Odie” Tarriela and South Cotabato 2nd district Rep. Peter Miguel both insist that the House did the right thing when it reallocated P1.23-billion worth of confidential funds to security agencies that protect the country’s interests in the WPS. 

"In these challenging times, we must prioritize the security and well-being of our citizens and assert our rights in the [WPS]. The House of Representatives has indeed done the right thing by reallocating these funds to enhance our nation's defense capabilities,” Tarriela said. 

His remarks came in the wake of a dangerous incident involving a China Coast Guard vessel that collided with an Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)-contracted resupply boat en route to Ayungin Shoal. The foreign vessel reportedly blocked the boat's path. 

This incident occurred during a standard mission to resupply BRP Sierra Madre and imperiled the safety of the AFP-contracted supply boat Unaiza May 2. 

In the same mission, a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel was also bumped by a Chinese Maritime Militia vessel. The area is an integral part of the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ). 

Tarriela said the Philippines will not back down in the face of such provocations and will defend its territorial integrity and sovereign rights. 

“Our government must stand firm and do whatever it takes to protect our interests. The House's reallocation of funds to support our security agencies is a clear message that we will not be bullied or coerced,” he said. 

In a separate statement, Miguel stood by the House's decision to transfer P1.23 billion worth of confidential funds from various executive departments, including the Departments of Agriculture (DA), Foreign Affairs (DFA), Office of the Vice-President (OVP), Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and Education (DepEd), to critical security agencies like the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), National Security Council (NSC), and PCG. 

"Regardless of the differing opinions – whether pro or anti-government – I firmly believe that we, in the House of Representatives, made the correct choice by reprioritizing these confidential and intelligence funds," Miguel said. 

"This Congress bears the moral authority to address the public and reassure hard-working Filipino taxpayers, who contribute to the government's funds, including confidential funds, that this reallocation serves the greater purpose of protecting our nation," he said. 

The House of Representatives possesses the power of the purse. It gets first dibs in tackling the proposed budget in any given year. 

Miguel cited the House's meticulous scrutiny of the 2024 national budget between August and September. He emphasized that the House judiciously executed its duty of overseeing the nation's finances by increasing allocations for military intelligence agencies and security for next year. 

He said these funds will play a crucial role in safeguarding the WPS, which has repeatedly been host to encroachments and infractions against Filipino fishermen.