MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte has stated she will not reveal the details of how she spent P612 million in confidential funds during her tenure at the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and Department of Education (DepEd).
She maintains that the funds were allocated for national security purposes.
Several lawmakers have raised questions about the transparency and accountability concerning the use of these funds.
Reports indicate that the House good government and public accountability committee has been investigating the possible misuse of these funds.
Some committee members have suggested that Duterte and other officials could face legal actions, including plunder charges. The allegation involves not only Duterte but also several executives within the DepEd and OVP.
The House panel has conducted hearings and gathered testimonies from various officials to understand the allocation and spending of the confidential funds.
A report from the panel outlines potential violations, including technical malversation and other offenses related to the misuse of government resources.
Duterte has urged members of the House of Representatives to extend their investigation to include the Office of the President.
She has questioned why the President’s confidential funds are not also under scrutiny, indicating that similar financial practices are employed there.
During the inquiry, it was discovered that some receipts for these funds bore unusual names like “Mary Grace Piattos,” sparking further speculation. Duterte, however, has refused to explain these details, citing the confidential nature of the expenses.
