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Lawmakers see 'highly irregular' practices in OVP, DepEd confidential funds under Sara Duterte
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.
Former DepEd SDO Edward Fajarda and OVP SDO Gina Acosta admitted to House lawmakers that they were instructed by Vice President Sara Duterte to give P162.5 million in confidential funds to two security officers instead of releasing them directly to individuals.
House Assistant Majority Leader Raul Bongalon stated that this practice is highly irregular and constitutes a violation of procedures, as the accountable officers did not handle the funds.
Rep. Rodge Gutierrez suggested that officials involved could be liable for technical malversation, and potentially malversation or even plunder if the funds were fictitious or used for personal gain.
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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.
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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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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) is investigating two active military officers, Colonels Dennis Nolasco and Raymund Dante Lachica, for allegedly disbursing confidential funds from the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd).
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