VP SARA DUTERTE composite image from Inquirer file photos
MANILA, Philippines — An official of the Department of Education (DepEd) has admitted to receiving envelopes containing P25,000 “monthly allowance” reportedly from Vice President and former DepEd chief Sara Duterte in nine months last year.
DepEd Accounting Division chief Rhunna Catalan made the revelation after she was asked by the House committee on good government and public accountability chair and Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua if she also received envelopes from former DepEd Assistant Secretary Sunshine Charry Fajarda.
READ: Another DepEd exec says envelopes allegedly from Sara reached him too
“Yes sir,” Catalan answered.
“Minimal lang po (It was minimal only). It’s 25,000,” she added.
Catalan also said she was “made to understand” that the allowance came from Duterte’s personal money.
Lawmakers also grilled her for signing questionable P112.5-million vouchers in confidential and intelligence funds.
She clarified that she was not forced to sign the vouchers, but was “requested” by Fajarda to sign these without knowing the content.
Former OVP and DepEd spokesperson Michael Poa also revealed that he occasionally received envelopes containing cash from Duterte, through Fajarda as well.
Other DepEd officials also admitted to getting the envelopes from Fajarda. These are former DepEd Bids and Awards Committee head Director Resty Osias and Education Undersecretary Gloria Jumamil Mercado.
In a previous hearing, Mercado revealed that she was assigned as head of the Procuring Entity (HOPE) of DepEd, signing checks related to funds, which, at one point, amounted to P37.5 million.
Similar to Catalan’s claim, Mercado said she received envelopes with money which, according to Fajarda, came from Duterte.
The House panel earlier issued a subpoena against Fajarda and six others for their repeated absence in its probe into the alleged DepEd’s misuse of government funds under Duterte’s watch