MANILA, Philippines –A House committee has asked the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) to verify the identities of 677 individuals who are reportedly recipients of Vice President Sara Duterte’s confidential funds.
The House panel’s move comes as Duterte faces two impeachment complaints, both of which allege misuse of confidential funds.
The verification of the recipients’ identities is considered in determining the authenticity of the claims made in the complaints.
The controversy surrounding the confidential funds involves questions about transparency and accountability in the disbursement of public funds.
The PSA, responsible for maintaining civil registry records, has been tasked with cross-referencing the names provided by Duterte’s office. This process will ascertain whether the individuals listed are indeed legitimate beneficiaries of the confidential funds allocated to the Office of the Vice President.
The committee’s investigation is part of a broader effort to uphold accountability and ensure that public funds are used for their intended purposes.
The verification of the 677 recipients is expected to shed light on whether the funds were appropriately disbursed or if discrepancies exist in the records.
Duterte has yet to publicly respond to the House committee’s request for verification. Her office has previously denied any wrongdoing and maintains that the funds were used in accordance with legal guidelines.
