Manila: The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) defended its accomplishments amid claims that they were non-existent.
According to Philippines News Agency, OPAPRU maintained that the agency, under Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr., remains “firmly committed to the principles of transparency and accountability.” The agency expressed openness to public scrutiny of its operations and financial transactions, emphasizing that these are funded by taxpayers and supported by international partners committed to building prosperous, peaceful communities.
The statement from OPAPRU followed accusations by Kamanggagawa Party-list Rep. Elijah San Fernando during plenary debates on the agency’s proposed 2026 budget. San Fernando accused OPAPRU of having “ghost accomplishments” and claimed that the implementation of the agency’s targets has “flatlined.”
In response, OPAPRU highlighted that established monitoring mechanisms derived from peace agreements are in place to track its performance and accomplishments. The agency warned that unfounded claims could undermine the dedication and hard work of its staff, who are focused on the critical phase of implementing signed peace agreements to address the root causes of conflict.
OPAPRU also emphasized the necessity of “sustained resources” to ensure that agreements with armed groups result in transformative and inclusive outcomes for communities previously affected by conflict. The agency noted that achieving lasting peace is a long-term national journey requiring committed support and constructive engagement from all sectors of society, rather than divisive or distracting rhetoric.