In a continuing political feud, Opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros has once again turned the spotlight on Vice President Sara Duterte.

Following their heated exchange two weeks ago, Hontiveros has come up with a new moniker for the vice president, one that questions the utilization of hundreds of millions in “confidential funds” – “Napakagaspang!”

Hontiveros on Tuesday joined the growing chorus of voices demanding that Duterte elucidate how her office managed to deplete its P125 million confidential funds (CF) in a mere 11 days.

“Anong uri na naman ng magic ang ginamit nila para ubusin ang P125 million sa loob ng 11 araw? Hindi na lang ‘yan spending spree. ‘Yan ay paglapastangan sa mamamayan. Napakagaspang. P11 million kada araw? Daig pa ang may patagong credit card sa national budget. Hindi niyo pera yan!” Hontiveros passionately conveyed in a message to reporters.

(Translation: What kind of sorcery did they use to burn through P125 million in just 11 days? That’s not a spending spree; it’s a mockery of the people. It’s audacious. Spending P11 million each day? It’s like having a hidden credit card in the national budget. That’s not your money!)

Hontiveros emphasized that CF is earmarked exclusively for surveillance activities conducted by civilian agencies. She drew a striking comparison between the Office of the Vice President’s extravagant spending spree using its CF and the modest management of similar funds by the Philippine Coast Guard.

“Yung ating Coast Guard sa West Philippine Sea, araw-araw binabantayan ang sumpong ng China. 17 years pinagkasya ang P117 million na confidential funds. Ang OVP, hindi man lang umabot sa dalawang linggo,” (Our Coast Guard in the West Philippine Sea diligently monitors China’s actions day in and day out. They made P117 million in confidential funds last for 17 years. Meanwhile, the OVP didn’t even make it past two weeks) she remarked.

During a House hearing on the proposed 2024 budget, it came to light that under Duterte’s leadership, the OVP had spent the controversial P125 million in CF – funds that budget experts have deemed “unconstitutionally” obtained – within just 11 days.

“What does VP Sara have to show for it? Did the OVP suddenly employ thousands of informants within those 11 days? Did they construct hundreds of safehouses within such a short span?” (What can VP Sara show for it? Nagmass hiring ba ang OVP ng libo-libong informant sa loob lang ng 11 na araw? Nagpatayo ba sila ng daan-daang safehouse sa loob lamang ng 11 na araw?) Hontiveros inquired.

The Commission on Audit released a report on the OVP back in early July, yet there has been no clear explanation from Duterte regarding how her office allocated the P125 million in CF. She informed the public that these confidential funds were used for the “safe, secure, and successful implementation of the programs, projects, and activities of the OVP.”

“The entire Philippines is waiting for receipts. Where did you take the money?” Hontiveros challenged Duterte.