Sara had 433 security escorts in 2022 – COA

MANILA, Philippines —  A total of 433 people served as part of Vice President Sara Duterte’s security and protection group in 2022, an increase of 455 percent from the 78 detailed military personnel under the Office of the Vice President (OVP) in 2021 during the last full term of then vice president Leni Robredo, the Commission on Audit (COA)’s latest audit report showed.

Based on the COA’s 2022 annual audit report on the OVP, of the 683 personnel under its manpower roster for the year, 63 percent or 433 individuals were part of the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group (VPSPG). This translates to six out of every 10 OVP personnel.

The OVP’s total personnel for 2022 comprised 174 individuals occupying plantilla positions and 509 individuals in non-plantilla and/or detailed positions.

Comprising the plantilla positions were one elected individual pertaining to Duterte, two presidential appointees, 70 co-terminus employees, 72 permanent employees, and 29 contractual and casual employees.

The non-plantilla/detailed positions, meanwhile, were occupied by 70 contract of service (COS) personnel, three consultants, three protocol officers from the Department of Foreign Affairs, and the 433 individuals under the VPSPG.

The Armed Force of the Philippines (AFP) announced on June 25 last year the activation of the VPSPG as a “dedicated unit” for the security and protection of Duterte and her family.

It was not specified in the audit report whether all of the 433 individuals in the VPSPG in 2022 were assigned by AFP or hired by the OVP.

Overall, the OVP’s 683 plantilla, non-plantilla, and/or detailed personnel last year were 27.66 percent more than the total of 535 personnel in 2021.

A review of the COA’s 2021 annual audit report on the OVP showed that the office only had 78 “military detailed personnel” for the year.

“As the second highest office in the land committed to the service of the nation, OVP performs executive, ceremonial, and advocacy functions to improve the lives of the Filipino people,” the COA said under the executive summary of its 2022 annual audit report on OVP.

“After the national elections held in 2022, the Honorable Sara Z. Duterte became the Vice President. She is assisted by Chief of Staff Zuleika T. Lopez and Assistant Chief of Staff Lemuel G. Ortonio with the cabinet rank of Undersecretary and Assistant Secretary, respectively,” it added.

Based on the OVP reported accomplishments for 2022, which the COA incorporated in its audit report, most of its “good governance” targets for the year were achieved.

The OVP said these included 103.24 percent accomplishment rate in terms of “requests acted upon within standard processing time,” 120 percent accomplishment rate in terms of “projects with partners implemented as planned,” and 108.33 percent accomplishment in terms of “average satisfaction ratings for completed engagements of the OVP rated by the requesting organization/entity.”

Meanwhile, the militant Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) is pushing for the abolition of confidential funds for government agencies, citing the lack of oversight and transparency.

“All forms of confidential funds should be abolished. No ifs and buts,” Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes said. - Emmanuel Tupas