In a powerful opening statement, Congressman Chua of the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability shed light on the alarming misuse of confidential funds within Vice President Sara Duterte’s Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd). His remarks, which opened the fourth public hearing, revealed that PhP612.5 million allocated over two years remains largely unaccounted for—funds that could have gone toward classrooms, resources for students, or aid to disaster-stricken communities.

Cong. Chua highlighted that in 2022, the OVP reportedly spent PhP16 million on “safehouses” within just 11 days, with one property leased at a staggering PhP1 million for only four days, equating to PhP250,000 per day. Cong. Chua questioned the need for such spending and pointed out that this unusual practice suddenly ceased in 2023.

The question remains: why does the DepEd, an agency focused on education, need luxury safehouses? And if they truly require safehouses, why spend at such an obscene rate? This kind of spending appears not only unjustified but irresponsibly wasteful, especially for an agency tasked with the welfare of students and educators. The inconsistent use and exorbitant costs suggest that VP Duterte either lacks foresight or is covering up questionable spending practices.

Cong. Chua’s statement also exposed a concerning pattern: questionable acknowledgment receipts with minimal details and vague justifications that failed to support the large sums spent. The committee found that most receipts lacked specifics, leaving several important questions unanswered and raising suspicions of fabricated expenses. The fabricated receipts reveal an administration that appears not only corrupt but alarmingly unaccountable.

The opening statement also flagged the questionable use of certifications from the Philippine Army, which were reportedly used to justify over PhP15 million in confidential expenditures. Cong. Chua noted that witnesses refuted the Army’s involvement in receiving these funds, implying that the money might have been diverted elsewhere. If the funds didn’t go to the Army, where did they end up? The deception surrounding these certifications points to an attempt to mask and a disturbing willingness by Duterte’s agencies to lie and manipulate to cover up their actions.
Duterte’s refusal to face Congress has only added to the suspicion surrounding her leadership. Instead of showing up to address the Committee’s concerns, she opts for press conferences where she can evade direct questioning and scrutiny. Cong. Chua’s remarks questioned this evasive tactic, implying that Duterte’s absence reflects a leader who knows her actions can’t stand up to public examination. If she truly had nothing to hide, why not answer under oath? Her refusal to face Congress speaks volumes about her willingness to let her office’s actions remain in secrecy and corruption.
Congressman Chua’s opening statement reveals a Vice President whose lack of transparency and gross mishandling of funds suggests deep-rooted corruption and a complete disregard for her duty to the Filipino people. As the investigation continues, the public deserves answers about where this P612 million went—and why it was entrusted to VP Duterte who has shown such blatant incompetence in managing funds and disregarding accountability to the Filipino public.
The amount in question is not meager—it is taxpayer money that could have been better used for the people, especially for those who need vital public services. Funds of this scale could have been directed toward building classrooms, providing resources for students, or offering relief to disaster-stricken communities. This money belongs to the Filipino people and, therefore, should be spent for their benefit, not squandered on questionable expenditures and unnecessary expenses.

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