THE House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability has initiated an investigation into the Department of Education’s (DepEd) questionable fund utilization during Vice President Sara Duterte’s leadership.
The panel, often regarded as the House's counterpart to the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, will probe potential "malfeasance, misfeasance, and nonfeasance" related to DepEd’s failure to deliver key projects, specifically the distribution of laptops and e-learning equipment.
Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua, chair of the committee, announced during Wednesday’s hearing that they had received authorization from the House Committee on Rules to proceed with a motu proprio investigation.
This probe follows a motion unanimously approved by committee members, based on concerns raised by Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro during the Sept. 10 House Committee on Appropriations hearing on DepEd’s budget.
“The committee, by a majority vote of all members, decided to conduct a motu proprio investigation on the September 10, 2024 manifestation of Luistro, particularly regarding DepEd's failure to deliver computers in good condition to end-users and other issues concerning its budget utilization,” Chua stated.
Chua responded to the manifestation of Cagayan 3rd District Rep. Joseph “Jojo” Lara, who expressed support for the investigation, highlighting DepEd's responsibility to deliver ICT equipment to teachers and students, as well as concerns over the proper utilization of funds.
“I wish to manifest that this committee, the Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, determine whether there is misfeasance, malfeasance, or non-feasance, at kung may mga paglabag ang mga kawani ng naturang ahensya sa kanilang mga tungkulin bilang mga kawani,” Lara said.
The investigation focuses on Luistro’s concern over DepEd’s failure to utilize nearly P9 billion of its P11.36 billion budget for ICT equipment in 2023, resulting in a low utilization rate of 19.22%.
The committee will further examine the 2023 Commission on Audit (COA) report, which exposed serious operational deficiencies in DepEd’s Computerization Program.
The report noted that only 50.07% of the program’s budget had been utilized, with no substantial accomplishments for the year.
Luistro linked these delays and inefficiencies to the Philippines’ poor performance in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) and warned that the rapid pace of technological advancement could soon make the undelivered computers obsolete.
In tandem with the DepEd investigation, Chua’s panel has also begun its probe into the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) budget utilization, following the scathing privilege speech delivered by Manila 2nd District Rep. Rolando Valeriano on Sept. 3.
Valeriano criticized Vice President Duterte for lacking transparency regarding the use of public funds.
With these investigations underway, the House committee is determined to hold DepEd and the OVP accountable for their lapses and ensure that future allocations are effectively used to benefit the Filipino people.
In the same hearing, Manila Rep. Rolando Valeriano called on potential whistleblowers to come forward with any information, evidence or testimony regarding the alleged misuse of funds by Vice President Sara Duterte amid questionable audit reports on the utilization of OVP funds.
Valeriano made this call in Wednesday’s opening of the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability’s investigation into the OVP’s spending based on a privileged speech he delivered last Sept. 3 in the plenary of the House of Representatives.
“If there are any whistleblowers with information, evidence, and testimony about the supposed OVP socioeconomic programs, they are most welcome to contact the Chairperson of this Committee, the Committee Members, or this Representation,” Valeriano declared in his opening statement.
In his privilege speech, Valeriano raised serious concerns about the lack of transparency in how the OVP used billions of pesos for its socioeconomic programs, highlighting the absence of supporting documentation, such as evidence of beneficiaries and partnership agreements.
“She expected us to take at face value the figures in her presentation, when there is much reason for us here in Congress to doubt the veracity of the figures in the presentation. We have not seen any paper trail or electronic trail that would serve as evidence of beneficiaries and partnership agreements,” he said.
Valeriano criticized Duterte for her refusal to answer questions about the OVP’s proposed 2025 budget and the questionable spending patterns revealed by the Commission on Audit (COA).
“Her claim of leaving it to the House to do what it thinks is right is just a palusot, a smokescreen, a cover,” he added.
Valeriano further questioned the OVP’s claim of serving over 2 million beneficiaries in Metro Manila.
He stressed that local government units and district representatives would have been involved or at least informed if such a large-scale program had truly been implemented.
“Kung totoong may beneficiaries, imposibleng hindi mabalitaan ‘yan ng sinumang district congressman sa Metro Manila lalo pa't tinatayang dalawang milyong beneficiaries daw ang nakinabang sa loob ng dalawa't kalahating taon at ang halaga ng pondo ay halos FOUR BILLION pesos para sa 2022, 2023, at 2024,” he declared.
Chua echoed Valeriano’s concerns in his own opening remarks, reminding the committee of Congress’ vital role in overseeing government spending.
“We have to ensure that funds are spent solely for purposes for which they have been appropriated, kabilang dito ang pagsisiguro na ang pag-gasta ay may tamang awtorisasyon ayon sa legal intent at purpose,” Chua explained.
Chua emphasized the importance of Congress’ oversight function, which does not end with the passage of the General Appropriations Act (GAA).
Valeriano also challenged the OVP’s transparency regarding its socioeconomic programs, which allegedly concentrated in Metro Manila but failed to present verifiable evidence.
“Mahigit three weeks na po mula noong unang OVP budget hearing, pero hanggang ngayon, hindi pa rin nagsusumite si VP Sara o sinuman sa Office of the Vice President ng solidong dokumento o detalye,” he pointed out.
Both lawmakers expressed hope that the inquiry will lead to greater transparency and accountability in the use of taxpayer money.
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