Castro seeks ‘comprehensive’ probe into DepEd during VP’s watch

ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro and Vice President Sara Duterte (FILE) —Photos from the House of Representatives

MANILA, Philippines — A party-list lawmaker on Sunday called for a “comprehensive investigation” into the alleged improper use of confidential funds in the Department of Education (DepEd) during the watch of Vice President Sara Duterte.

In a statement, ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro said the investigation by the concerned panels of the House of Representatives should also focus on other issues regarding DepEd as cited in a September report by the Commission on Audit (COA).

These issues include the spoiled nutribuns and milk products in warehouses intended for school-based feeding, nondelivery of food products including pasteurized milk, and questions surrounding the procurement and bidding of laptops.

READ: Another DepEd exec says envelopes allegedly from Sara reached him too

The Inquirer has sought a response from the Office of the Vice President (OVP).

Cash handouts, safe houses

The lawmaker also suggested that other concerned House committees, such as the basic education committee, take part in the ongoing investigation led by the House committee on good government and public accountability.

READ: DepEd under Duterte makes it seem it’s funding AFP training – solon

The House good government panel has so far heard testimonies regarding Duterte’s leadership of DepEd until her resignation in June, including using her confidential funds for that agency and the OVP.

The committee also found that P16 million of its confidential funds were used to rent 34 safe houses from Dec. 21 to 31, 2022. One safe house had an equivalent rent of P91,000 a day, based on acknowledgment receipts submitted by the OVP to the COA.

Another concern raised was DepEd’s spending of P15.54 million in confidential funds to pay informants, which the COA had asked the agency to explain.

Two DepEd officials had earlier testified that they received tens of thousands of pesos in cash from the Vice President herself, but no clarification was made as to how the money was spent.

“The allegations of cash gifts and misuse of funds at DepEd are deeply troubling and demand a thorough investigation,” Castro said.

‘Accountability’

“It is crucial to uphold [the] integrity and transparency in our education system, which is fundamental to the development of our youth,” she added.

Castro pointed out that the cash envelopes given to DepEd officials were “alarming” and could be considered a “serious breach of public trust,” which would warrant “utmost urgency.”

“The education sector is already grappling with significant issues, including the perennial shortage of classrooms,” she said.

The allegations regarding DepEd on Duterte’s watch also “undermines the quality of education that Filipino students deserve,” Castro added.

“We must unite in demanding accountability and ensuring that the resources meant for education are used appropriately and transparently,” she said.

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) chair Vladimer Quetua also called for a “full investigation” into DepEd on Duterte’s watch and urged President Marcos to “speak out” and take “decisive actions” about that matter.

“Empty promises are not enough; we need concrete measures to uplift our educators and restore public trust in our educational institutions,” Quetua said.