Departure from Regulation in Handling Confidential Funds by OVP and DepEd Disbursement Officials
Vice President Sara Duterte's Confidential Funds Controversy:
In a stunning revelation, special disbursing officers (SDO) of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) have testified that millions in confidential funds were managed by their security personnel.
VP Security Personnel in Charge of Funds?
Edward Fajarda, SDO of DepEd, and Gina Acosta, SDO of OVP, told a House panel that their only role was disbursing the funds to security personnel - Colonel Dennis Nolasco and Raymund Dante Lachica, head of the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group (VPSPG).
According to Joint Circular No. 2015-01, issued by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Commission on Audit (COA), it is the SDO, not security personnel, who should disburse confidential funds.
Mysterious Fund Transfers
Fajarda admitted to withdrawing P37.5 million in confidential funds, placing the money in bags, and disbursing it to Nolasco weekly. He also confirmed three withdrawals totaling P112.5 million. Fajarda claimed he didn't know how the funds were used, attributing it to Nolasco's expertise.
Similarly, Acosta handed over P125 million to Lachica and claimed ignorance about implementing confidential activities, stating Lachica was the one who knew. However, Representative Gerville Luistro questioned Acosta's claim, suggesting Lachica committed usurpation of authority.
Health Concerns
Acosta was rushed to the hospital after her blood pressure shot up during the probe. Vice President Duterte left the hearing to accompany Acosta to the Veterans Medical Memorial Center (VMMC).
Accountability and Transparency
The management of confidential funds has been a contentious issue, particularly in relation to Joint Circular No. 2015-01, which aims for transparency and accountability in the use of these funds. Alleged irregularities in the use of these funds have been raised, with concerns about lack of transparency and accountability in both OVP and DepEd.
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- The testimony from special disbursing officers (SDO) of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) has raised questions about the policy-and-legislation surrounding the management of confidential funds, as it seems that the security personnel, not the SDO, were disbursing the funds, a practice contrary to Joint Circular No. 2015-01.
- The involvement of security personnel in the disbursement of confidential funds, such as Colonel Dennis Nolasco and Raymund Dante Lachica, in politics and general news has sparked debates about the transparency and accountability in the policy-and-legislation governing these funds, specifically in the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd).
