A call to scrutinize Vice President Sara Duterte’s security budget has been raised after the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) confirmed that 400 of its personnel are assigned to protect the Vice President and her family, Manila Rep. Joel Chua said on Saturday.
The Vice President recently criticized the Philippine National Police (PNP) for withdrawing 75 officers from her security detail, but did not acknowledge the substantial military presence still allocated for her protection.
“We are spending too much for the security of one family,” Chua stated during a news forum, emphasizing the need for transparency regarding the allocation of public funds for Duterte’s security.
Chua argued that the current security detail is excessive, suggesting that 100 soldiers should be sufficient to safeguard Duterte, her husband, and their children. “How much security does one family need?” he asked, highlighting the importance of justifying such expenses.
The lawmaker also criticized Duterte’s recent public remarks against the administration, suggesting they were intended to distract from her controversial trip to Germany during Typhoon Carina’s devastation in the Philippines. Chua pointed out that the Vice President’s comments on the administration’s alleged lack of flood control projects were “uncalled for and unfair,” noting that her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, had more time in office to address such issues.
Chua, who recently transferred to the Lakas-CMD party, which is led by House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, urged caution in making public statements, warning that they could backfire.
