NEWS WRITING (FACT SHEET)

Article #1: From CNN Philippines

- SBSI (Socorro Bayanihan Services, Inc.)
- A spokesperson of the task force formed by the local government unit said, more members of the
alleged cult in Socorro are seen to leave their community in the mountains of Surigao del Norte
following developments in the Senate hearing on Sept. 28.
- Sen. Bato dela Rosa said on Thursday the next probe into SBSI will be held in the group's base
in Socorro town. There is still no specific date yet as lawmakers continue deliberations for the
2024 budget.
- "Maraming nagsabi na pag madetine yang kinikilala nilang mga leaders don bababa na sila so
malaki talagang epekto kasi nakikita ng mga members nila na hindi pala totoo yung mga sinasabi
nila," Task Force Kapihan spokesperson Ed Sangco told CNN Philippines' The Source on Friday.
- During the Senate's first hearing on alleged cult SBSI, lawmakers cited in contempt and detained
SBSI leaders
- SBSI Leaders are Jey Rence Quilario, Mamerto Galanida, Janeth Ajoc, and Karren Sanico Jr.
- The group is accused of trafficking, kidnapping, sexually abusing children, training children as
soldiers, and practicing child marriages.
- The task force hopes that following the recent hearing, more alleged victims will come out.
Sangco said that after Thursday's Senate inquiry, a video was sent to him showing the conduct of
child marriage and child labor in SBSI.
- Sangco said the hearing held can be considered a victory for the victims who have revealed the
alleged cult's activities. He claimed that there are still others who are being threatened to prevent
them from testifying against the organization.

Article #2: From Philstar

- Vice President Sara Duterte yesterday defended her office’s spending of P125 million in
confidential funds late last year, insisting that it was spent in 19 days.
- During yesterday’s budget deliberations on the Office of the Vice President’s proposed
P2.385-billion 2024 budget, the OVP’s budget sponsor Davao de Oro Rep. Maria Carmen
Zamora said it is “inaccurate” to say that the OVP spent the P125 million fund in 11 days.
- Marikina Rep. Stella Luz Quimbo revealed on Sept. 25 that the OVP spent P125 million in
confidential funds in 11 days.
- When it comes to auditing confidential and intelligence funds, state auditors could only depend on
the transparent and accurate submissions of government agencies, making the funds difficult to
audit.
- During an interpellation by Kabataan party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel, Zamora said the OVP is
requesting P500 million in confidential funds next year for the “safe implementation of its
programs and activities.”
- But Manuel brushed this aside, arguing that the OVP’s programs are “redundant.”
- “The proposal of OVP is not in line with the intent of the House. The programs they mentioned
(such as) medical and burial assistance and food assistance are not directly related to the
defense of the West Philippine Sea,” he explained.
- The OVP thanked Zamora after the House of Representatives terminated the deliberations on the
OVP’s proposed P2.385-billion 2024 budget.
- Meanwhile, Rep. Edcel Lagman said that President Marcos and Duterte may not be impeached
despite the possibly “unconstitutional” transfer of contingent funds from Marcos’ office to the OVP.