COA Report on VP Sara Duterte’s Confidential Funds: Understanding the Issue and the Bigger Picture

Vice President Sara Duterte has faced intense public scrutiny over the Commission on Audit (COA) findings related to the confidential funds of the Office of the Vice President (OVP). However, a deeper look shows that the issue is far more complex than headlines suggest — and that many larger corruption controversies receive far less attention.

Confidential Funds Require Secrecy — Including Alias Identities

Confidential and intelligence funds (CIF) support sensitive operations such as surveillance, threat assessment, and security coordination. These functions often require the use of:

• Alias names
• Code identities
• Non-disclosed operatives
• Protected documents

These are standard in intelligence work. Using aliases in liquidation documents is legal and meant to protect operatives and informants. This context is often lost in public discussions.

Why Was VP Sara Targeted When Many Offices Handle Confidential Funds?

Many agencies use confidential and intelligence funds regularly, including the Office of the President, DILG, DND, AFP, PNP, NBI, and several LGUs. Historically, the OVP did not receive such funds. So when the OVP was granted confidential funds in 2022, it stood out because:

• The OVP had not traditionally managed CIF.
• The funds were released through unprogrammed allocations.
• The amount was unexpected compared to previous budgets.

This made the issue more politically sensitive, even if the use of the funds followed standard confidential operations protocols.

COA Never Accused VP Sara of Corruption

It is important to emphasize: COA did not accuse the Vice President of stealing or misusing funds. COA’s role is to flag documentation for compliance with auditing standards. Their reports routinely find technical issues in many agencies every year. Later, the OVP even received an unmodified opinion, meaning its financial reporting was fairly presented.

Political Spotlight Intensified the Situation

Because VP Sara Duterte is a high-profile national figure, the controversy gained extraordinary media coverage. Political dynamics, rivalries, and public expectations amplified the issue far beyond the technical scope of COA’s findings. Meanwhile, similar audit findings in other agencies rarely make national headlines.

Bigger Issues Receive Less Attention: The Billions Lost in Flood-Control Scams

While the OVP’s confidential funds amount to ₱125 million, various investigations over the years have revealed potential billions in losses due to questionable flood-control projects. These include:

• Overpriced flood-control and dredging projects
• Ghost or unfinished drainage systems
• Repeated projects with no improvement in flooding
• Contractors receiving billions despite unresolved issues

These anomalies — often involving ₱1 billion to ₱3 billion per project — have triggered public concern, yet few high-profile inquiries have occurred.

This raises an important question:

Why is the public discussion louder on ₱125 million in confidential funds, when billions may be lost in flood-control anomalies?

Comparing the Two Issues Shows a Clear Public Imbalance

The confidential funds controversy involves:

• A relatively small amount
• Legitimate confidentiality requirements
• COA findings that were technical, not criminal

Meanwhile, flood-control controversies involve:

• Massive multi-billion allocations
• Publicly visible incomplete or ghost projects
• Wider systemic issues over years

This contrast makes many citizens believe that VP Sara was placed under an unusually harsh spotlight, while much larger issues receive less scrutiny.

Conclusion: The VP Sara Controversy Needs Context

The confidential funds debate should be viewed in full context. VP Sara Duterte followed established protocols for sensitive operations, COA issued technical findings as part of routine auditing, and no proof of corruption was established.

At the same time, the country faces far bigger challenges involving flood-control anomalies worth billions — yet these do not receive the same level of attention or urgency.

By understanding the broader landscape, the public can see that the focus on VP Sara’s confidential funds may not reflect the full picture, and that balanced scrutiny is essential in protecting public interest.