Ex-education spokesman, director admit getting extra cash

Metro Manila, Philippines — Former and sitting officials of the Department of Education (DepEd) admitted extra cash during the leadership of then-Secretary and Vice President Sara Duterte but did not state for what purpose.

In the House committee on good government and public accountability’s previous inquiry, former Usec. Gloria Mercado said she received nine envelopes with ₱50,000 each as head of procurement. Duterte denied this.

During the panel’s hearing on Thursday, Oct. 17, Director Resty Osias was asked if he had received extra money from the agency’s office, similar to what Mercado got.

Osias said he was summoned four times from April to September 2023 in which he got the envelopes. He thought it was a practice of the department.

“To be honest, I was grateful because it helps a lot. I am from the province,” he said.

Manila 2nd District Rep. Rolando Valeriano pointed out that Osias stopped receiving envelopes in the last quarter of 2023, when Duterte did not use her confidential funds amid issues that hounded it.

Duterte spokesperson Michael Poa, former DepEd spokesperson, said among the times he received an envelope with a “minimal amount” was in December 2022.

“There were instances, occasional, although not regularly, not like monthly at all that I would receive… The VP gave it to me herself,” Poa said.

Manila 6th District Rep. Benny Abante said that there are times that he would do the same when he appreciates his staff.

₱15 million disallowance

During the hearing, the ₱15 million out of the ₱75-million disallowance of the OVP confidential funds was raised.

The Commission on Audit is asking for supporting documents, including certifications of the Youth Leadership Summits, for the ₱15 million which were supposedly used as reward to informers.

Former Usec. Nolasco Mempin said he was unaware that the certifications were for payment of informers. His only task for the Youth Leadership Summit was to coordinate with the Philippine Army for a report.

Col. Manaros Boransing II of the army said that no DepEd funds were used for the summits. He said their participants used the army’s funds, while the students who joined were covered by local government unit funds.

“I do not understand why these people who are supposed to explain the P15 million is totally unaware of the same because they are saying that they never used the DepEd fund and what they used is the fund of the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines),” Batangas 2nd District Rep. Jinky Luistro said.