OCTA survey results 'clear proof' House handled confidential funds issue the right way--Co
At A Glance
- The results of the recent "Tugon ng Masa" survey by OCTA Research is "clear proof" that the House of Representatives made the right move when it comes to the issue of confidential funds, Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co said.
Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co (Facebook)
The results of the recent "Tugon ng Masa" survey by OCTA Research is "clear proof" that the House of Representatives made the right move when it comes to the issue of confidential funds, Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co said.
"The House Committee on Appropriations welcomes OCTA Research Group’s survey showing that the majority (57 percent) of our fellow countrymen agree with the decision of the House of Representatives," Co said.
The second-termer chairs the powerful committee.
"Ito po ay isang malinaw na pruweba na tama ang naging hakbang ng Kongreso sa usapin ng confidential funds," he added,
(This is clear proof that Congress made the right move on the topic of confidential funds.)
"This also proves that the public supports our approach to governance and fiscal prudence as the significant concurrence is compelling evidence that our citizens trust in the Committee's endeavor to enhance the transparency and accountability in national expenditures," he said.
"Hence, the Committee reaffirms its commitment to responsible stewardship of the nation’s finances. We are determined to ensure that our policies not only reflect the will of the people but also reinforce the security and stability of our nation," Co said.
The appropriations panel was chiefly responsible for the scrutinization of the proposed 2024 national budget in the House of Representatives. The chamber, led by Speaker Martin Romualdez, approved the measure on third and final reading last Sept. 27
But before doing do, the House decided to reallocate confidential funds of several civilian government agencies under the proposed budget to bolster national security agencies patrolling the West Philippine Sea (WPS)
Among those stripped of confidential funds by the House leadership were the Office of the Vice President (OVP), the Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and Department of Agriculture (DA).
A total of P1.23 billion confidential funds were reallocated in the GAB all in all.