Amid the Impeachment Complaints vs. VP Sara Duterte, House Panel Ends Investigation on Confidential Funds
HOUSE PANEL – The House good government and public accountability panel eyes to pass law that require the disclosure of Confidential Funds.
The Confidential Funds of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) has become controversial in the Philippines. It was just recently when the investigation of the Confidential Funds of the offices led by Vice Pres. Sara Duterte was concluded.
The House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability has decided to end the investigation to gave way for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to conduct their own hearing. There is a rumor that two (2) military officials have allegedly received portions of the controversial OVP Confidential Funds.
House panel chairman and Manila 3rd District Representative Joel Chua also expressed that there are impeachment complaints against Vice Pres. Sara Duterte and they have to be reminded that their probe is in aid of legislation. They ended the investigation to prevent the probe from being used.
Following the investigation on the OVP Confidential Funds, based on a report on GMA News, the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability targets the passing of laws that order the disclosure of the CIFs and penalizes misuse of this kind of fund.
According to the report, Manila Rep. Joel Chua said that the submission of mere acknowledgement receipts is only a very basic thing to present the spending of a very huge public fund. The proposed laws include the following:
- An Act Regulating The Allocation And Utilization Of Confidential And Intelligence Funds Imposing Penalties For Misuse And Misappropriation, and
- An Act Regulating Special Disbursing Officers (SDOs) And Imposing Penalties For Misappropriation
The House panel Chairman further said that it is time to face the truth that not everyone in government positions can be trusted. According to him, safeguarding is needed with regards to Confidential Funds as it is allegedly creating an illusion among the people that it is used right despite its secrecy.
“Panahon na upang harapin natin ang katotohanan na hindi lahat ng mga nahahal o nalalagay sa posisyon sa gobyerno ay pwedeng basta-bastang pagkatiwalaan,” Chua said.
Currently, aside from the OVP facing questions over its Confidential Funds use, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte is faced with two (2) impeachment complaints.