LEADERS of the Young Guns of the House of Representatives on Wednesday raised concerns that Vice President Sara Duterte may have violated the government’s “no gift policy” by allegedly distributing cash envelopes to Department of Education (DepEd) officials during her tenure as Education secretary.
Deputy Majority Leader Jude Acidre of Tingog Partylist and Assistant Majority Leaders Zia Alonto Adiong of Lanao del Sur and Jil Bongalon of Ako Bicol Partylist all referred to the testimony of DepEd Accounting Division chief Rhunna Catalan in the recent House Blue Ribbon hearing where she said that she also received P25,000 monthly allowance from Duterte for nine months.
This issue surfaced following the revelations of former DepEd Undersecretary Gloria Mercado, who claimed she received cash envelopes from Duterte during her tenure as Education secretary.
“What does the testimony of Ms. Catalan also tell us? Two things kasi hindi ito masyadong na-emphasize. Una, kina-corroborate niya ang unang testimonya ni USec Mercado,” Acidre said, highlighting that this consistency in testimonies challenges Duterte’s previous claim that Mercado was merely a disgruntled employee.
“Ibig sabihin nagsinungaling ang VP nung sinabi niya nagsisinungaling eto isang disgruntled employee lamang si USec Mercado,” he added.
Acidre argued that this dismissal was unfair to Mercado, who has served the government for many years as a career official.
He also pointed out that Duterte appeared to have ignored her own department’s “no gift policy,” which prohibits officials from giving gifts, including cash, to subordinates.
“Ang VP mismo, nung siya ay Secretary of Education, ay hindi sumunod sa sariling polisya ng no-gift policy. So anong klase ng leadership meron ang isang tao na siya mismo ang babali sa sariling polisiya,” he asked.
Adiong, meanwhile, expressed concerns that the vice president may have allowed Zuleika Lopez, the chief of staff of the OVP, to leave the country.
“Holding a public office, you really have to uphold the integrity of your office. You represent an office, and it is your obligation to really respect your office and uphold the integrity of your office,” Adiong said.
Adiong also underscored the importance of transparency in government, especially when dealing with public funds.
“If it’s about the Congress exercising its oversight function, it’s really well-established that resource persons and witnesses need to maintain transparency. You really have to be honest,” he added.
Duterte earlier refused to take oath when she appeared before the House panel, while her officials in the OVP refused to attend the hearings of the Blue Ribbon.
Acidre said this was disconcerting.
“Nakakabahala na ‘yung pangalawang pinakamataas na opisyal ng ating bansa ay may ganitong attitude tungkol sa mga prosesong hindi naman kami ang gumawa kundi nasa Saligang Batas at patuntunan ng Kamara,” he said.
Bongalon also weighed in, warning that Duterte’s refusal to take an oath and the refusal of OVP officials to attend a legislative inquiry set a dangerous precedent.
“Nakakabahala, kasi baka sabihin nila maging example ito na ‘yung pangalawang pangulo ay hindi po nag-take ng oath,” he said, noting that previous presidents, including former Presidents Aquino and Duterte, complied with such procedures in similar hearings
