President Bongbong Marcos Extends Birthday Wishes to Vice President Sara Duterte on Her 46th Birthday
BONGBONG MARCOS – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos extended his birthday wishes to VP Sara Duterte on her 46th birthday.
Despite his “complicated” relationship with her family, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos wished Vice President Sara Duterte a happy 46th birthday on Friday.
Marcos shared his birthday greetings on Facebook and Instagram, highlighting his efforts to maintain positive relations with Duterte, despite ongoing criticism of her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, and his former aides.
“Happy birthday, Inday Sara! Your hard work and love for our country inspire our youth and our teachers,” PBBM penned in both English and Filipino. “Let us continue working for a strong education system under a new Philippines!”
This message was posted just two days after the Vice President asked the Supreme Court to dismiss petitions challenging the constitutionality of the P125 million confidential funds allocated to the Office of the Vice President (OVP) in 2022.
Through former Solicitor General Estelito Mendoza, Duterte argued that the petitions were based on apprehension and speculation about contingent funds or confidential funds, which do not present a justiciable controversy.
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Mendoza contended that the petitioners did not present any actual case or controversy or show any harm or difficulty resulting from the contested act.
The petitioners, however, claimed that the OVP’s request, receipt, and use of the funds without congressional authorization violated the Constitution, which states that no money shall be paid out of the Treasury without an appropriation made by law.
Led by former Comelec Chair Christian Monsod, former presidential spokesperson Barry Gutierrez, retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, Howard Calleja, the ACT Teachers party list, and the Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives, the petitioners argued that the release of the P125 million by the Office of the President lacked legal basis due to the absence of a congressional appropriation in the 2022 General Appropriations Act. They stressed that the Executive branch cannot create its own budget outside the appropriations law.
They further asserted that laws on discretionary funds and lump sums should be interpreted strictly as exceptions to Congress’ appropriation power.
Lastly, they requested that the Supreme Court declare the funds “fully auditable” and subject to thorough auditing by the Commission on Audit to identify any signs of corruption and irregularities.