2024-11-27 04:25 Views:79
Rep. Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez (Photo from 1-Rider Party-List’s Facebook page)
MANILA, Philippines — Moves by special disbursing officers (SDOs) of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) to cede disbursement responsibilities to security officers can be considered technical malversation, 1-Rider party-list Rep. Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez said.
Gutierrez, in a press briefing at the Batasang Pambansa complex on Tuesday, said that even if the confidential funds (CF) of both agencies reached its intended program and beneficiaries, the fact that the SDOs admitted that security officials were behind the disbursements can lead to the filing of cases.
Article continues after this advertisement“If you recall, the bonded officer here is the SDO. The SDO is the one responsible (for disbursing funds). But now, they cannot even tell us the smallest details of what we’re expecting from the accomplishment reports, liquidation reports. So I think that’s the biggest takeaway here,” Gutierrez said.
FEATURED STORIES NEWSINFO ‘Get ready to rumble’ in case VP Duterte is arrested – Dela Rosa NEWSINFO Rodrigo Duterte told: Aquino respected you in office, do it for Marcos NEWSINFO Rodrigo Duterte called out for trying to stir military vs Marcos“On the question of what are possible liabilities here, it would really vary, if we recall, if this is a public fund intended for public use. Even if, assuming, that the funds for confidential purposes were still used for public use, let’s say, for example, but it did not go through strict procedures, I believe this is technical malversation,” he added.
Gutierrez said this after being asked about recent admissions before the House of Representatives’ committee on good government and public accountability regarding CF disbursements of the OVP and DepEd.
Article continues after this advertisementAt the hearing on Monday, Gina Acosta, OVP’s SDO, said she left the release of CFs to Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group (VPSPG) chief Col. Raymund Dante Lachica upon Vice President Sara Duterte’s orders.
Article continues after this advertisementAside from Acosta, former DepEd SDO Edward Fajarda said that Duterte — when she was still Education secretary — designated Col. Dennis Nolasco as the official responsible for disbursing the CFs.
Article continues after this advertisementREAD: Security officer picked by VP Duterte disbursed confidential funds
In the event that the OVP and the DepEd cannot satisfactorily explain where the CF went — including issues regarding the acknowledgement receipts (ARs) — Gutierrez said this could be malversation or worse, plunder, as the amount involved exceeds the P50 million threshold.
Article continues after this advertisementThe CFs of OVP and DepEd that the committee is checking on amount to P612.5 million.
“But worse, if this was taken for personal gain, if it is proven that the ARs are fictitious and erroneous, to justify the taking of this amount, that could be malversation proper. Or worse, plunder. Because this is over the P50 million (threshold),” Gutierrez noted.
Previously, the House panel discussed issues involving the ARs for the CF disbursements. Last November 20, the committee unearthed another possible anomaly as there were two different ARs signed by a single person, but showed different handwriting and signature styles.
Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong showed two ARs for CFs — one for the OVP and one for DepEd — which were both received by a certain Kokoy Villamin.
For the OVP’s CF expenditures, Villamin signed the AR last September 17, 2023. The AR for the DepEd’s CF expenses did not show a date, but it was also signed by Villamin, who appears to be from Ozamis City, Misamis Occidental.
Villamin’s signature on the OVP AR was longer than the one on the DepEd AR.
READ: House probe: OVP, DepEd CFs received by same man, different signatures
Then at another hearing last November 5, Antipolo 2nd District Rep. Romeo Acop pointed out to the Commission on Audit that several of the ARs were signed by a certain Mary Grace Piattos — which he said bears a first name similar to a coffee shop, while her last name is a famous potato chip brand.
READ: P1-M reward for information on Mary Grace Piattos – House lawmakers
Subscribe to our daily newsletter
The ARs signed off by Piattos were part of the liquidation reports discussed during the same hearingphl63, referring to the P23.8 million confidential funds covered by 158 receipts.
READ NEXT Rodrigo Duterte called out for trying to stir military vs Marcos More voyeurism cases recorded in 2024, PNP says EDITORS' PICK Chavit’s rare tears break ‘masamang damo’ image in emotional reveal Rodrigo Duterte called out for trying to stir military vs Marcos Michael Yang ‘key actor’ in Chinese intel ops in PH – Hontiveros SC denies motions to reverse ruling separating Sulu from BARMM DOJ to Dela Rosa, VP Duterte: No such thing as ‘conditional threat’ Rare Philippine cockatoo or ‘abukay’ sighted in Bohol MOST READ Comelec, PANTAY to raise queer awareness for 2025 polls Chito Miranda’s wife Neri Naig arrested by police — Ogie Diaz ‘Get ready to rumble’ in case VP Duterte is arrested – Dela Rosa Rodrigo Duterte told: Aquino respected you in office, do it for Marcos Follow @FMangosingINQ on Twitter --> View commentsPowered by CODVIP|CODVIP jackpot master|CODVIP slots empire @2013-2022 RSS地图 HTML地图