The House of Representatives Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability may consider recommending a plunder case against Vice President Sara Duterte should she fail to account for the P112.5 million in confidential funds, which were encashed as cash advances by one of her close aides when she was then the Department of Education (DepEd) secretary.
Pampanga Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr. made the statement as he continued to demand for an answer on the questionable disbursement. The House panel is regarded as the counterpart of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee,
Although a sitting Vice President is an impeachable official, legal and constitutional experts have previously clarified that, unlike the President, the Vice President does not enjoy immunity from suit, leaving them open to criminal charges while in office.
The funds in question were withdrawn through three separate checks, each worth P37.5 million, issued to DepEd special disbursing officer Edward Fajarda during the first three quarters of 2023.
“This is the people’s money, and we have to ensure that it is being used correctly,” Gonzales said.
During the Oct. 17 hearing, Gonzales questioned DepEd Undersecretary for Finance Annalyn Sevilla regarding the disbursement of the confidential funds and Fajarda’s role in encashing them.
The confidential funds in question were part of the P150 million allocated to the DepEd in 2023 for programs aimed at addressing issues such as abuse prevention in schools, anti-extremism efforts, and counter-insurgency.
It was the first time that such funds were included in the DepEd budget.
Gonzales underscored the gravity of the situation, cautioning that the committee might be compelled to recommend filing a case for plunder, a non-bailable offense punishable by life imprisonment, if Duterte fails to provide a clear accounting of the funds.
