Rappler
How OVP, DepEd disbursing officers violated rule on confidential funds
Special disbursing officers (SDOs) revealed that millions in confidential funds for the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) were managed by security personnel.
Edward Fajarda and Gina Acosta, SDOs for DepEd and OVP respectively, stated their role was limited to disbursing funds to Colonel Dennis Nolasco and Colonel Raymund Dante Lachica of the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group (VPSPG).
This practice potentially violates Joint Circular No. 2015-01, which mandates that SDOs, not security personnel, are responsible for disbursing confidential funds.
Fajarda detailed withdrawing P37.5 million in confidential funds, which he disbursed weekly to Nolasco in amounts ranging from P4 million to P6 million.
The DepEd under Vice President Sara Duterte utilized P112.5 million in confidential funds in 2023.
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1-Rider Party-list Rep. Rodge Gutierrez questioned the physical impossibility of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and Department of Education's (DepEd) claims regarding the disbursement of confidential funds.
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Vice President Sara Duterte reportedly authorized the release of P125 million in confidential funds in 2022 to a military officer.
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House lawmakers are considering criminal charges, including plunder, against special disbursing officers (SDOs) of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) for allegedly irregular delegation of confidential funds.
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A former special disbursing officer (SDO) of the Department of Education (DepEd) admitted to distributing cash envelopes to selected education officials under the direct orders of Vice President Sara Duterte.
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The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has pledged its cooperation with the House of Representatives' inquiry into the alleged misuse of confidential and intelligence funds by the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd).
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