By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Manila Third District Rep. Joel Chua on Monday (25 November 2024) accused Vice President Sara Duterte of orchestrating “diversionary tactics” to deflect scrutiny from the alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds by the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd).
Chua, chair of the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, opened the committee’s seventh hearing with a fiery rebuke, asserting that Duterte and her team have resorted to theatrics and obfuscation to bury the truth behind mounting anomalies.
“Imbes na sagutin ang ating mga katanungan, nag-stage po ng mala-siege sa loob ng Kongreso at nagpaunlak ng kung anu-anong kwento ukol sa pag-detain kay Atty. Lopez,” Chua said.
Central to the controversy is Atty. Zuleika Lopez, the OVP’s Chief of Staff, who was cited for contempt in the previous hearing for what Chua characterized as “evasive, uncooperative, and untruthful” behavior.
“Paulit-ulit din pong sinasabi ni Atty. Lopez na wala siyang alam sa utilization ng confidential funds ng OVP. Paulit-ulit ito na sagot,” Chua said, pointing to evidence that contradicted Lopez’s claims, including documents signed by her related to the liquidation of funds.
Lopez, Chua said, also admitted to authoring a letter attempting to block the Commission on Audit from complying with a congressional subpoena.
“Kung titingnan po ang totality of Atty. Lopez’ acts, malinaw na merong clear, persistent, and willful attempt to interfere, frustrate, and defeat the inquiry undertaken by the Committee,” Chua declared.
The investigation has been overshadowed by what Chua described as disruptive and theatrical actions by Vice President Duterte, who repeatedly stayed overnight in the House complex following Lopez’s detention.
Chua slammed Duterte’s presence as a blatant violation of security protocols and a deliberate attempt to derail the inquiry.
Despite multiple accommodations—including extended visiting hours, medical care, and access to Lopez’s personal physician and legal counsel—Duterte allegedly continued to disregard House rules.
This prompted the committee to order Lopez’s transfer to the Correctional Institute for Women in Mandaluyong City.
Chua reiterated that the inquiry had uncovered alarming irregularities in the handling of confidential funds.
Among the issues are discrepancies in acknowledgment receipts, misleading certifications issued by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the unexplained role of a certain “Mary Grace Piattos.”
“Hanggang ngayon ay wala tayong natatanggap na malinaw na paliwanag kung bakit binudol ang mga kawani ng AFP na maglabas ng mga sertipikasyon na gagamitin pala ng DepEd sa pag-justify ng kanilang paggamit ng confidential funds kahit na wala namang natanggap na pera ang AFP,” Chua said, calling the actions a brazen betrayal of public trust.
Chua delivered a powerful call to action, urging the public to reject efforts to deflect attention from the scandal and demand accountability.
“Sa bawat pagdinig po natin, patong-patong po ang mga natutuklasang kababalaghan na nangyari sa P612.5 million na confidential funds ng OVP at DepEd. At panawagan ko po sa taumbayan na huwag po natin hayaan na ibaon ang ating mga katanungan gamit ang mga diversionary tactics,” he said.
The committee, Chua added, will remain steadfast in its mission to uncover the truth and answer the fundamental question: “Saan po talaga napunta ang P612.5 million pesos na pera ng bayan?”
As the hearings continue, the investigation is expected to intensify, with lawmakers vowing to hold accountable those responsible for what Chua described as “a systematic betrayal of public trust. “
ia/mnm
