Chairman of House Panel Speaks on Confidential Funds Investigation
HOUSE PANEL – The House committee has decided to conclude the probe on the confidential funds of Vice President Sara Duterte’s office and the Department of Education (DepEd).
The House of Representative’s investigation on the Confidential Funds of the OVP and the DepEd has gathered different reactions from the public. The lower chamber conducted several hearings and invited many resource persons during those inquiries.
However, there were rare times when Vice Pres. Sara Duterte would appear at the hearing. She did not only skip hearings regarding the Confidential Funds spending of the offices she led but as well as the deliberations regarding the 2025 budget proposal of the OVP.
Currently, there are impeachment complaints filed against Vice Pres. Sara Duterte over the Confidential Funds of the offices she led. The first complaint has 16 complainants while the other has over 70 complainants.
Amid the impeachment complaints faced by Duterte, the House panel handling the probe of the Confidential Funds use of the offices led by Vice Pres. Sara Duterte moved to end the investigation. Based on a report on GMA News, it was confirmed by House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability chairman and Manila 3rd District Representative Joel Chua.
According to Rep. Chua, ending the investigation of the Confidential Funds will give the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) a chance to conduct their own investigation on the allegation that two (2) military officers have allegedly received portions of the CIFs of the OVP.
Based on the report, the probe of the House panel is also in relation with the impeachment complaints filed against Vice Pres. Sara Duterte. Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua reiterated that their investigation is in aid of the legislation.
“Kaya minarapat po namin na i-wrap up na po ito ng sa ganoon ay hindi na po ito magamit,” Chua said.
According to Rep. Chua, if the impeachment complaints filed against Vice Pres. Sara Duterte progress, the probe will be handled by the House Committee on Justice. The Advocacy groups were behind the first impeachment complaint against the Vice President while the other impeachment complaint was endorsed by Akbayan Party-list Representative Perci Cendaña.
Previously, several known personalities and entities expressed their views on the impeachment moves against the Vice President. The Iglesia ni Cristo is against the impeachment moves against Duterte.