Duterte in possible fund malversation - lawmaker

Metro Manila, Philippines — A House lawmaker pointed out a possible malversation issue against Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

During the inquiry of the House committee on good government and public accountability, Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville Luistro said about P4 million was spent for the counter-insurgency program of the Department of Education (DepEd), which was led by Duterte.

The DepEd had P15 million in confidential and intelligence funds at the time.

“There remains also an unexplained amount of P10.4 million,” Luistro noted.

Commission on Audit officer Gloria Camora said other projects had no classified category.

“Hindi po na-consider nung nag-evaluate na i-categorize siya [projects] according to the programs of DepEd,” Camora said.

[Translation: The evaluator has not categorized the projects according to the DepEd programs.]

Luistro said there is a “prima facie case of malversation” and “apparent case of breach of public trust.”

She pointed out four elements to determine possible malversation: if the person is a public official; if the person is the custodian of the fund; fund is for public purpose; and the public official took, appropriated, misappropriated, consented or negligence permitted another person to take them.

“Malversation can be done intentionally. We call it ‘dolo,’ which is with criminal intent, and it can be done as well by negligence. We call it ‘culpa’ or by negligence. In other words, with or without criminal intent,” Luistro expounded.

“If the four elements are present, which I believe they are, there is a prima facie case of malversation. With respect to the breach of public trust, this is a violation of the public's confidence in a public officer's ability to serve with integrity, impartiality and in accordance with law,” she said.

NewsWatch Plus sought a comment from the OVP but it has yet to respond.

Extra cash

Meanwhile, another education official admitted to receiving extra cash on top of her salary, believing it was an allowance.

DepEd chief accountant Rhunna Catalan said she received monthly envelopes, nine times, with P25,000 in it.

She said DepEd Assistant Secretary Sunshine Fajarda gave her the envelopes.

Catalan asked Fajarda if the money was from the confidential funds, to which the latter denied and said it is an allowance from Duterte.

Former DepEd officials earlier testified that they received extra cash from the then education chief. But Duterte denied it.