MANILA, Philippines – The Office of the President has urged Vice President Sara Duterte to personally address allegations of irregularities in the disbursement of the Department of Education’s (DepEd) confidential funds during her tenure as education secretary.
The controversy emerged after a House of Representatives panel revealed that 405 out of 677 individuals listed as recipients of the funds had no birth records with the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), raising serious concerns about the legitimacy of the transactions.
Call for Transparency
House Speaker Martin Romualdez emphasized the need for Duterte to clarify the matter herself instead of delegating the responsibility to her subordinates. “She is the only one who can explain how these funds were spent,” Romualdez stated. He added that given the nature of the allegations, a direct response from the Vice President is crucial in maintaining public trust and ensuring government accountability.
The House committee leading the probe is currently investigating the possible misuse of confidential funds by both the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and DepEd during Duterte’s leadership. Lawmakers have expressed growing concerns over the alleged inclusion of fictitious names in the financial records and the presence of questionable liquidation documents.
Allegations of Fabrication and Fraud
Lawmakers have raised suspicions that the OVP may have fabricated acknowledgment receipts, purportedly signed by non-existent individuals, to justify confidential fund expenditures. Additionally, inconsistencies in signatures found on some of the receipts suggest potential document falsification, further fueling concerns of financial mismanagement.
Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe stressed the importance of Duterte’s direct participation in the investigation, stating that her continued refusal to appear before the committee and testify under oath only intensifies doubts regarding her involvement in the alleged anomalies.
Public Accountability and Government Integrity
The investigation into the alleged fund mismanagement highlights broader concerns about transparency in government spending. Lawmakers and public watchdog groups have reiterated the importance of accountability in handling taxpayer money, particularly when it comes to confidential funds that are not subject to the same level of scrutiny as other budgetary allocations.
With the ongoing probe, the public awaits Vice President Duterte’s official response to the allegations, as pressure mounts for greater transparency and accountability within the government.
