House leaders on Saturday challenged Vice President Sara Duterte to testify under oath and directly address the serious questions surrounding the alleged misuse of millions of pesos in confidential funds, including the P16 million supposedly given to the military, instead of continuously evading accountability and transparency.
Last Sept. 18, breaking the rules and traditions, Duterte refused to take the oath to tell the truth at the start of a House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability hearing on the alleged misuse by her office of millions in confidential funds.
Even former President Joseph Estrada and the late former Presidents Fidel Ramos and Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III took their oath when invited as resource persons during a congressional inquiry.
The latest controversy centers on the revelation that the Office of the Vice President (OVP) misrepresented its P16 million funding for military-related activities, which were financed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and local government units (LGUs).
House Deputy Majority Leader Jude Acidre and House Assistant Majority Leader Paolo Ortega raised alarms over Duterte's claim that her office used these confidential funds for Youth Leadership Summits (YLS) and other initiatives linked to the AFP.
However, military officials later confirmed that the AFP, not the OVP, covered the expenses for these activities.
"This is a clear misuse of public funds. The Vice President claimed her office spent millions on activities already fully funded by the military. Why lie about where the money went? We need to know what the OVP did with these funds," Acidre alleged.
Acidre also pointed out that Duterte's use of AFP certifications to justify her office's spending misled auditors and the public.
"This is not just about accounting errors; this is deception. Using the military to cover up the improper use of confidential funds is an egregious act," Acidre said.
Adding to the controversy is the revelation that P16 million was spent on 34 safe houses in just 11 days in 2022, which remains unexplained.
Despite being asked repeatedly during congressional hearings, Duterte needs to clearly explain why such a large amount was necessary for safe houses in such a short period.
"We are still waiting for the Vice President to explain the need for 34 safehouses in less than two weeks. The public has a right to know why P16 million of their money was spent so dubiously," said Ortega.
Ortega emphasized that Duterte's failure to provide transparent answers about these safe houses and the questionable use of AFP activities as a cover-up only deepens suspicions.
He reiterated the need for her to testify under oath in the next hearing and come clean about these expenditures.
"If there's nothing to hide, she should testify under oath. This is public money, and the Filipino people deserve transparency and accountability. No more evasions, no more squid tactics," Ortega concluded.
House Assistant Majority Leader and Nueva Ecija Rep. Mika Suansing said, "The ongoing investigations regarding the alleged misuse of OVP and DepEd funds under Vice President Duterte put the Vice President's leadership into question. Particularly concerning are the OVP disbursements, which the Commission on Audit has disallowed, and the alleged delivery of spoiled milk and nutribuns to public schools. "
Acidre and Suansing also expressed disappointment over Duterte's recent public remarks, urging her to address the country's pressing challenges rather than engage in divisive politics.
"Unfortunately, Vice President Sara Duterte continues to engage in politicking at a time when the nation demands unity and decisive action," Acidre said. "Instead of addressing these legitimate concerns through appropriate and respectful channels, she dismissed them as political attacks. Such an approach sows division and distracts us from what matters—the urgent challenges our people face."
"We implore the Vice President to instead focus on working with all of us for the welfare of the Filipino people," Suansing, for her part, said.
Acidre commended President Marcos Jr. for his leadership amid complex national issues.
He emphasized that, despite the difficulties inherited from previous administrations, the President has remained solution-oriented, focusing on governance instead of engaging in political blame games.
"The problems we face are not new, yet President Marcos has refrained from pointing fingers at past leaders. Instead, he has shown leadership by focusing on solutions that benefit our people," Acidre said. "The Vice President has a unique opportunity to contribute meaningfully to this national effort, yet her recent actions have become more of a distraction than a help."
He urged the Vice President to rise above political disputes and engage in meaningful actions that would genuinely improve the lives of Filipinos.
"If she truly believes she can offer better leadership, then the path forward is clear: focus on delivering concrete results instead of fostering discord. The Filipino people expect leaders who build bridges, not walls—those who pursue durable solutions over fleeting political gain," Acidre added.
He concluded by reminding all public officials, including the Vice President, of their shared responsibility to serve the public interest.
"Our challenges demand collaboration, unity, and an unrelenting focus on the common good. It is time for all of us to rise above politics and work together for nation-building. Our people deserve no less," Acidre emphasized.
On Thursday, four military officials testified before a House panel that they would not have issued certifications for Youth Leadership Summits (YLS) had they known the Department of Education (DepEd) under Vice President Sara Duterte was using them to justify a P15-million payment from confidential funds, allegedly allocated to pay informants.
The disclosure came during Bukidnon 2nd District Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores's questioning of retired Maj. Gen. Adonis Bajao, Lt. Col. Carlos Sangdaan Jr., and Colonels Manaros Boransing and Magtangol Panopio in the ongoing inquiry by the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability into the alleged misuse of public funds by the Office of the Vice President and DepEd under Duterte's leadership.
The officers had issued certifications for the YLS, a regular anti-insurgency program conducted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in 2023.
However, DepEd reportedly used these certifications for a different purpose—to justify a P15-million expense for informant rewards.
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