MANILA, Philippines – Davao City’s confidential funds spending for 2023 was higher than the confidential expenses of the seven wealthiest cities in the country combined.
Under Mayor Sebastian Duterte, the Dutertes’ home turf spent P530 million in 2023, based on the Davao City government’s financial statements submitted to the Commission on Audit (COA). The 2023 expenses were P70 million or 15.22% higher compared to 2022’s P460 million.
Based on their financial statements, the confidential spending of the seven wealthiest cities in the country in 2023 only amounted to P529.5 million in total. Their individual spending was as follows:
For the fourth straight year, Quezon City was the Philippines’ wealthiest city in terms of assets, based on COA’s annual financial report on local government units for 2023. It had P448.51 billion in total assets, followed by Makati with P243.44 billion. The country’s capital, Manila, was at the third spot with P85.92 billion.
Mandaue, Davao City (9th), and Cebu City (10th) were the only cities outside Metro Manila that made it to the top 10. (LIST: Richest Philippine cities, municipalities, provinces in 2023)
Since 2016, or when former Davao City mayor Rodrigo Duterte rose to the presidency, his home turf’s confidential spending has seen a gradual increase.
Joint Circular No. 2015-01 states that confidential spending of local government units must be related to their peace and order programs. Under the same circular, the activities eligible for confidential spending are only limited to crime prevention and law enforcement activities, and programs related to illegal drugs, illegal gambling, counterinsurgency, smuggling, human trafficking, and against illegal logging, mining, and fishing, among others.
Unlike regular funds that go through the COA’s rigorous auditing process, confidential and intelligence funds are still being audited but not subjected to the same strict COA rules.
The issue regarding these funds has been a hot topic in recent years, triggered by the controversy involving Vice President Sara Duterte, who also once led Davao City. During deliberations for the 2024 budget, for instance, it was revealed that the Office of the Vice President under Sara Duterte spent P125-million confidential funds within 11 days.
Hinged on her allegedly anomalous confidential funds spending, the vice president is facing at least three impeachment complaints pending with the House of Representatives.
At least three petitions challenging the constitutionality of confidential and intelligence funds are also pending with the Supreme Court. – with reports from Jairo Bolledo/ Rappler.com
