Army Spokesperson: VP Duterte Offices' Funds Not Used for Youth Summits

MANILA, Philippines — Not a single peso — whether regular allocations or confidential funds (CF) — from Vice President Sara Duterte’s offices was received or used for the youth leadership summits conducted by the Philippine Army (PA), Col. Manaros Boransing II said on Tuesday. During the resumption of Duterte’s impeachment trial, Boransing was asked by prosecution lawyer Reynaldo. This statement comes amid scrutiny over the use of funds from the Vice President's office. Youth leadership programs and summits are sometimes viewed as potential avenues for political influence and broadening support bases, necessitating strict transparency regarding their funding and expenditure. While the Vice President's powers in the Philippines are limited, their office manages a budget, and the use of confidential funds, in particular, is subject to rigorous oversight. The clarification from the Army spokesperson aims to ensure transparency in the flow of funds between the Vice President's office and the military. In the context of increasing tensions in the South China Sea and heightened focus on national security, the funding of military-led programs is a matter of public interest. For a country like the Philippines, with a large overseas workforce, youth development is crucial for future national strength. Verifying the proper use of funds for such initiatives is essential for public trust. For Japan-Philippines relations, the stability of the Philippines impacts Japan's security and economy, making domestic political and fiscal transparency vital for maintaining international confidence.