(March 28, 2025) – Senatorial candidate France Castro on Friday renewed her call to abolish confidential funds in all government offices, citing the risks of discretionary spending and lack of transparency.
In an interview with One PH’s Aplikante, Castro stressed that even the Office of the President should not have confidential funds, which, she insisted, should only be allocated to agencies involved in intelligence operations.
“At Kung hindi talaga ma-abolish, bigyan lang ang agency na nangyayari na meron mga intelligence gathering, confidential information gathering,” said Castro.
Vice Pres. Sara Duterte-Carpio is currently facing an impeachment case over alleged constitutional violations, including the misuse of more than P600 million in confidential funds. However, her trial in the Senate remains uncertain, as petitions seeking to block it are still pending before the Supreme Court.
Castro, who was among the lawmakers who filed the impeachment complaint, dismissed Duterte-Carpio’s criticisms of her.
“Wala yatang press release si Sara Duterte na hindi ako binabanggit… Even in her petition or petition ng kanyang mga supporter, binanggit pa ako doon na isang item. Para (bang) ako lang ‘yung nagpasa ng impeachment complaint. So kailangan natin ‘yang sagutin para maintindihan ng mamamayan,” added Castro.
Castro, a member of the progressive Makabayan bloc, has been a frequent target of red-tagging, including by former president Rodrigo Duterte. In 2023, she filed a complaint against him for grave threats after he publicly stated he wanted to kill her and other alleged communists.
“Meron isang beses ‘yung mga threat, ‘yung mga red-tagging, ‘yung mga pangi-insulto, minsan iniyakan ko ‘yan. Tapos sinasabi ko sa mga kasama ko, sa Makabayan na talagang hindi ba natin ito pwedeng sagutin or whatever. Ang ginagawa ko na lang ay ini-ignore ko na lang, minsan nire-report ko din,” said Castro.
In July 2024, the Tagum City Regional Trial Court sentenced Castro, former lawmaker Satur Ocampo, and 11 others to four to six years in prison over a 2018 incident in Talaingod, Davao del Norte. They were convicted for transporting 14 Lumad students from an Indigenous school without parental consent. They have appealed the verdict.
“Ang isang tao ay mayroon siyang rights for due process. Until and such time na-finalize ‘yung kaso ay pwede pa rin na mayroon pa rin siyang na tumakbo o magsilbi pa rin,” stressed Castro.
(CD)
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