The Philippines’ education sector is facing a crisis. With classrooms in short supply, it is shocking to witness how public funds are being misallocated. According to recent reports, Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara acknowledged the lack of funding to address the nationwide classroom shortage—a critical issue that has plagued the country for decades. Yet, amid this pressing concern, Vice President and former DepEd Secretary Sara Duterte’s use of confidential funds has emerged as a point of contention. This raises the question: Is the government truly prioritizing education, or are we witnessing a gross mismanagement of resources?

The public expects every centavo allocated to education to be spent efficiently and with accountability. Yet, Vice President Duterte’s allocation of DepEd confidential funds raises serious red flags, especially when such a fundamental crisis remains unresolved.

After following the hearings conducted by the House of Representatives Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, the question in everyone’s minds is: Why are confidential funds necessary for DepEd? The use of confidential funds by the DepEd is highly questionable. Traditionally, such funds are allocated to agencies with direct roles in national security, such as the military, police, and intelligence services. DepEd, as an institution focused on education, does not fit into this category, making its request for confidential funds a glaring anomaly.

At the heart of this controversy is the stark contrast between DepEd’s inability to fund classroom construction and its willingness to allocate confidential funds for vague purposes. According to DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara, the department’s budget is stretched thin, and there isn’t enough money to build the necessary classrooms. How, then, can DepEd justify the diversion of resources into a confidential fund that does not directly address the urgent needs of the education system?

VP Duterte’s use of confidential funds reveals a distorted sense of priorities. The government should focus on building classrooms, improving teacher training, and ensuring students have access to basic learning materials. Instead, resources are being siphoned into a black hole of unaccounted spending. This is a disservice to the Filipino people, especially the millions of students whose futures are being compromised by the very institution that is supposed to uplift them.

It is troubling that confidential funds are being allocated to DepEd without a clear and compelling justification. VP Duterte’s office must be held accountable for how these funds were used. This is not just a matter of principle—it is a matter of ensuring that public resources are being utilized in a way that maximizes their impact.

Vice President Sara Duterte must be held accountable for her actions as DepEd Secretary. The Filipino people deserve answers about where their money is going and why it was not spent on addressing the classroom shortage. This is not just a matter of policy; it is a matter of justice for the millions of students whose futures are at stake.

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