DepEd SDO, OVP official testify on managing funds per VP Duterte's orders

On Monday, former DepEd special disbursing officer Edward Fajarda and Gina Acosta of the Office of the Vice President testified before lawmakers about managing millions of confidential funds for their respective offices.

Fajarda admitted to distributing cash envelopes to selected DepEd superintendents upon direct orders from Vice President Sara Duterte, even soliciting personal bank account details from officials as instructed by her.

Acosta confirmed she handed over P125 million in confidential funds to Colonel Raymund Dante Lachica and Lemuel Ortonio, with the money being withdrawn regularly under Duterte's direction.

Lawmakers questioned both SDOs about the legality of delegating their responsibilities to security personnel and sought documentation proving Vice President Duterte's designation of Nolasco and Lachica.

House Assistant Majority Leader Raul Bongalon and Rep. Rodge Gutierrez flagged these practices as highly irregular and potentially illegal, with Gutierrez suggesting that officials involved could face charges ranging from technical malversation to plunder if funds were misused for personal gain.

The committee will not insist on transferring OVP Chief of Staff Undersecretary Zuleika Lopez to a prison facility unprepared for medical emergencies, allowing her to remain at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center.