VP Sara on intel fund: Education intertwined with national security

a FIFA World Cup, men’s

Senate resolution commends

Filipinas for historic FiFa performance

by charie aBarca Inquirer.net

mANILA — the senate adopted on monday, August 7 a resolution congratulating and commending the Philippine Women’s National football team, dubbed as filipinas, for their historic win at the fIfA Women’s World Cup.

senate resolution No. 80, sponsored by senator Pia Cayetano, was adopted during the plenary session held monday, taking into consideration resolution Nos. 715, 720, and 722.

Cayetano said the team did their best during the 2023 Women’s World Cup. this led to their historic first goal and first win against New Zealand with a full-time score of 1-0 at the Wellington regional stadium last July 25. this triumphant achievement resonates deeply with the filipino people, as it not only showcases the team’s prowess on the global stage but also symbolizes the resilience and indomitable spirit of the Philippines,” the resolution states. senate President Juan miguel Zubiri and senators Joel Villanueva, Alan Peter Cayetano, and ramon revilla also stood up to co-sponsor the resolution. meanwhile, all members of the chamber were named coauthor. n

30 reported deaths due to Typhoon Egay - NDRRMC

by John eric Mendoza Inquirer.net

mANILA — the number or reported deaths linked to typhoon egay has risen to 30 after one more death was reported, according to the National Disaster risk reduction and management Council’s report on monday,

August 7. of the reported deaths, four were confirmed while 26 are still for validation. meanwhile, 171 were injured and 10 remain missing due to the combined effects of egay, typhoon falcon and the southwest monsoon or “habagat”. these weather disturbances affected 3,249,796 people including 239,258 who were displaced in 551 evacuation centers nationwide. the typhoons and the habagat” resulted in damage to infrastructure pegged , so far, at P3.6 billion while damage to the agriculture sector was estimated at P3 billion. n mANILA — Pointing out that the education sector is “intertwined with national security,” Vice President and education secretary sara Duterte on monday, August 7 defended the Department of education (Deped)’s requested P150-million budget for confidential expenses in 2024. the vice president did not give a breakdown on how the Deped intends to use its requested P150-million confidential fund. Instead she said there is already an existing set of guidelines on the fund’s proper use and liquidation. there is a joint memorandum circular with regards to the confidential fund. It is laid out there how to use the fund and how to liquidate,” Duterte said in english and filipino, apparently referring to Joint Circular No. 2015-01 titled “Guidelines on the entitlement, release, Use, reporting and Audit of Confidential and/or Intelligence funds” dated Jan. 8, 2015. the joint circular states that all allocations under confidential funds and intelligence funds “shall be supported with a physical and financial plan indicating the proposed amount allocated for each program, activity and project, where disbursements pertaining to confidential expenses and intelligence expenses shall be based.”

In a chance interview with reporters on the sidelines of the Deped’s Balik Eskwela 2023 national kick-off ceremony at tarlac National high school in tarlac City, Duterte said she is leaving it up to Congress to decide on the Deped’s request, but maintained that the agency needs a confidential fund to play its role in national security.

“Because education is intertwined with national security. Napakahalaga na (it’s very important that) we mold children who are patriotic, children who will love our country and will defend our country,” she said when asked why her agency needs a confidential fund.

“And by its nature, it’s a confidential fund, so we cannot discuss how we will use it in operations,” she added. the joint circular was issued by the Department of Budget and management, Commission on Audit, Department of National Defense, Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Governance Commission for Government-owned and Controlled Corporations.

In an interview with radio dzBB last sunday, August 6, Deped spokesman Undersecretary michael Poa emphasized that the agency’s requested confidential fund would be used to collect necessary information that would address “illegal recruitment” activities in schools and academic institutions nationwide.

“We must admit that recently, there have been a lot of intel activities, recruitment happening inside our schools ... that is why we need funds to collect the necessary information. the information will be used to formulate and implement targeted projects, activities and programs against these things that pose a risk to our learners and teachers,” Poa said in filipino.

In a statement issued on monday, house Deputy minority Leader and Alliance of Concerned teachers (ACt) party-list rep. france Castro hit the Deped’s plan, saying it would put “under surveillance” students and teachers who are being suspected by the education department to be involved in illegal recruitment.

“Is the Deped now a police or military agency that it is conducting surveillance operations on students and teachers?... It has not even scratched the surface in solving the learning crisis as well as providing adequate classrooms and a substantial salary increase for teachers as well as hire more teachers, and now it is conducting surveillance?” Castro said. n