Vice President Sara Duterte has dropped the P150 million in requested confidential funds for the Department of Education&rsquo;s (DepEd) 2024 budget.
The announcement was made by budget sponsor Senator Pia Cayetano on Thursday during the deliberations for next year&rsquo;s proposed national budget.
Cayetano read the letter sent by Duterte to her office, saying that the security of the children is the security of the nation&rsquo;s future.
&ldquo;Nonetheless, DepEd will no longer pursue confidential funds," as stated in the letter.
Meanwhile, the Office of the President also withdrew its proposed P500 million in secret funds under the office&rsquo;s budget for 2024.
The announcement was then made by DepEd spokesperson Michael Poa on Thursday, saying that the confidential funds may lead to "disunity" or &ldquo;divisiveness.&rdquo;
"Hindi na po ipe-puruse o hindi na po itutuloy ng Office of the Vice President ang orihinal na mungkahi sa confidential funds. Bakit? Dahil nakikita natin na may tendency na nagkakawatak-watak o magiging divisive itong isyu na ito," he said.
He added that the Vice President will not pursue the proposal for the confidential funds.

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VP Sara drops P150M secret funds for DepEd