Spark by VP Sara controversy
BAYBAY CITY– Leyte’s 2025 provincial budget contains no allocation for confidential or intelligence funds, a practice the provincial government has maintained for years, according to Board Member Carlo Loreto.
Loreto, who served as vice governor for nine years until 2022, emphasized that the provincial government has never seen the need to allocate such funds.
For 2025, the provincial government will operate on a P4.04 billion budget, an 18.7 percent increase from the 2023 budget of P3.4 billion.
“Since I became a provincial official in 2004, the province has never included confidential or intelligence funds in the budget,” he said in a media interview on Wednesday, Jan. 8, this city.
Loreto entered as a provincial elected official as a board member representing Leyte’s fifth district. He was later elected as vice governor for nine years and is now serving again as a board member, serving on his first term.
He added that Leyte remains generally peaceful, negating the need for such appropriations. Instead, the provincial government focuses on supporting law enforcement through the provision of equipment and gadgets for the Philippine National Police.
“We are grateful to the PNP for keeping the peace in our province. The provincial government continues to extend assistance to them,” Loreto said.
Loreto stressed that under Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla, the provincial government remains focused on essential programs and services.
“There is no reason for us to appropriate confidential or intelligence funds. Our budget is aligned with mandated allocations such as health, education, and infrastructure,” Loreto explained.
Loreto expressed gratitude to the national government for its continued financial support, which enables Leyte to implement various projects benefiting its residents.
“We are thankful for the assistance from the national government, which helps us fund programs that directly benefit the people of Leyte,” he said.
The issue of confidential and intelligence funds has come under national scrutiny following allegations of misuse against Vice President Sara Duterte, who has been accused of spending P612.6 million in confidential funds.
The alleged misuse is among the grounds for impeachment complaints filed against her, though Duterte has denied any wrongdoing.
JOEY A. GABIETA
