Davao rep defends sister vs confidential fund allegations

Davao Rep. Paolo Duterte defended his sister, Vice President Sara Duterte, against allegations of misuse of confidential funds by Makati Business Club Executive Director Apa Ongpin, calling the official's remarks "gossip-based conclusions."

Rep. Duterte advised Ongpin to gain experience in governance before commenting on such matters, stating that governance is a responsibility Ongpin hasn't carried.

Ongpin had implied the Vice President "misspent" her confidential funds, citing an alleged lack of proper documentation and questionable recipients listed in liquidation reports, including the "Mary Grace Piattos."

Ongpin alleged the funds were not utilized for national security as intended, pointing to the purported absence of intelligence gathering findings.

The lawmaker explained that confidential and intelligence funds are used for specific purposes such as information gathering and confidential operations.

Rep. Duterte also stated that all disbursements from these funds require proper documentation and liquidation, and are subject to post-audit by the Commission on Audit (COA).

The Vice President has been accused of misappropriating P612.5 million in confidential funds allocated to her office (P500 million) and the Department of Education (P112.5 million), which she previously headed.