Vice President Sara Duterte has dropped the P150 million in requested confidential funds for the Department of Education’s (DepEd) 2024 budget.

The announcement was made by budget sponsor Senator Pia Cayetano on Thursday during the deliberations for next year’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’s future.

“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’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 “divisiveness.”

"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.