In the midst of a growing controversy surrounding Vice President Sara Duterte’s use of P125 million in confidential funds, staunch defender and Chairperson of the House Appropriations Committee, Rep. Stella Quimbo, faced criticism from netizens who questioned her continued support for Duterte’s actions.

Duterte’s spending of the substantial sum in a mere 11 days has ignited a firestorm of inquiries and disapproval, with Quimbo providing new insights during Monday’s budget plenary debates in the House of Representatives.

Quimbo disclosed that, contrary to previous reports suggesting a 19-day expenditure, the Office of the Vice President (OVP) had actually utilized the entire P125 million confidential fund in just 11 days, according to Commission on Audit (COA) records.

While the controversy rages on, Vice President Duterte has declined to offer a detailed account of how her office disbursed the secret funds, relying instead on derogatory remarks aimed at her critics and support from allies like Quimbo.

During the budget debates for the proposed 2024 budget, Quimbo expressed her surprise at news articles claiming the P125 million was spent in 19 days. She clarified in a mix of English and Filipino, “The truth is, I was also surprised when I read the news that it seemed to have been spent in 19 days. I asked COA and looked at various reports, but it was not spent in 19 days but in 11 days.”

In response to Quimbo’s statements, some netizens took to social media to express their dissatisfaction, resorting to memes and critical comments.

One user remarked on Quimbo’s speech during the plenary session, saying, “She’s having a hard time talking.”

Another netizen stated, “Obviously she’s confused,” while yet another asked indignantly, “She’s proud that they used up 125 million in just 11 days?”

Quimbo’s revelation came as a response to Rep. Arlene Brosas (Gabriela Women’s Party), who had inquired whether COA could confirm the 19-day expenditure. Quimbo, who sponsored the budget proposal of the agency in the plenary, spoke on COA’s behalf during the exchange.

After Quimbo’s revelation, Brosas, in a state of shock, turned to fellow Makabayan bloc lawmaker Rep. France Castro (ACT Teacher) and sought confirmation regarding the 11-day timeframe. Quimbo nodded in agreement.

Quimbo also shared that COA plans to release its preliminary audit findings on the OVP’s P125 million in confidential funds on November 15, ten months after the OVP submitted its liquidation report in January.

Moreover, Quimbo called for the establishment of a special oversight committee in the lower chamber to scrutinize the allocation and expenditure of confidential and intelligence funds, emphasizing the importance of transparency in the utilization of public funds.

The controversy dates back to the 2022 General Appropriations Act when the OVP did not originally receive a budget allocation for confidential expenses.

However, a redacted transparency report from COA in 2023 revealed the sudden appearance of a P125-million allocation for confidential expenses.

Makabayan lawmakers characterized this as “magic” and questioned the irregularities in how the OVP obtained this lump sum, as confidential funds are typically included through the general appropriations process.

Despite these concerns, the House appropriations panel, chaired by Quimbo, terminated deliberations on the OVP’s budget proposal in August, citing “parliamentary courtesy” to Duterte.

Quimbo defended the OVP’s use of confidential funds, asserting that there was nothing “improper” with the transfer of funds from the Office of the President, as it was facilitated through the use of the contingent fund.

However, Sen. Risa Hontiveros criticized Quimbo and other officials for their changing explanations, emphasizing that transparency should entail a straightforward and consistent response if the fund transfer was genuinely “above board.”