VP Duterte insists there's 'a purpose and need for confidential funds' in DepEd
At A Glance
- Vice President and concurrent Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sara Duterte has insisted before congressmen that the agency has "a purpose and a need for confidential funds".

(MANILA BULLETIN)
Vice President and concurrent Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sara Duterte has insisted before congressmen that the agency has "a purpose and a need for confidential funds".
Duterte made this remark Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 30 during the House Committee on Appropriations' deliberation on the proposed 2024 budget of DepEd.
During his interpellation of the Vice President, independent minority solon Albay 1st district Rep. Edcel Lagman brought up the matter of confidential funds.
"Considering the universe of shortages in the Department of Education, which would need adequate funding, Madam Secretary, would you voluntarily withdraw your request for confidential funds in the Department of Education?" Lagman asked.
Duterte replied: "There is a purpose and a need for confidential funds in the Department of Education because basic education is intertwined with national security."
"But of course, as we always say, we leave it to the discretion of the members of the House of Representatives and the Senate the wisdom of granting confidential funds to the Department of Education," she added.
Lagman didn't ask a follow-up question since his time to interpellate was already used up.
The DepEd is asking for a confidential fund of P150 million for next year. The funds will be used against communist recruitment and child grooming.
During the course of the budget hearing, Duterte said that the department needs all the funds it can get in order implement all its planned projects.
DepEd's proposed budget for next year has been pegged at P758.59 billion--a 5 percent increase from the current appropriated outlay.