By Junex Doronio

MANILA – The chairman of the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability is considering two potential grounds for impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte as an investigation into alleged fund mismanagement by the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) unfolds.

Manila Third District Rep. Joel Chua noted that although the investigation was initially launched “in aid of legislation,” it has revealed possible grounds for Duterte’s impeachment, particularly on graft and corruption and betrayal of public trust.

Responding to Duterte’s claim that the committee’s work is a “fishing expedition” targeting her office, Chua clarified, “In the first place, ginawa naman po ito not for the purpose of impeaching her. Ang purpose naman po rito ay in aid of legislation.”

He further highlighted findings such as the P125 million in confidential funds that the OVP under Duterte spent within just 11 days in December 2022, raising concerns.

“Na-shock po ang lahat sa P125 million na nagastos in 11 days. At may lumabas nga po na findings ang COA (Commission on Audit) na nag-issue ng Notice of Disallowance (ND),” he stated.

In August, the COA issued an ND for P73.28 million out of the P125 million, citing improper use and regulatory violations. The COA directed Duterte and other accountable officials from the OVP to settle the disallowed amount.

Duterte’s office was also allocated P500 million in confidential funds for 2023, of which P375 million was received—equating to P125 million per quarter. Each quarter’s funds are under Audit Observation Memorandums due to financial and operational issues, potentially leading to further NDs if not justified.

Amid public scrutiny over the rapid expenditure of P125 million in late 2022, the House of Representatives denied her request for an additional P500 million in confidential funds for 2024.

Chua suggested that the Vice President could face impeachment for graft and corruption, referencing alleged unaccounted funds, such as P15 million in DepEd’s confidential funds during Duterte’s term as Secretary, and alleged overpriced rentals for OVP safe houses.

“Pare-parehas po tayong nagtatanong kung saan napunta ‘yung P15 million. May certification, sine-certify pero inamin naman ng Army na hindi sa kanila napunta, walang dinownload. Ngayon ang tanong—saan napunta? ‘Yung P16 million na rental for safe houses [noong last quarter of 2022], walang detalye. Hindi po natin alam kung totoo nga pong nagamit sa rentals,” Chua noted.

ia/mnm

By Junex Doronio

MANILA — Can’t the Filipino capitalists moderate their greed for profit?

This question cropped up on Tuesday (20 Feb 2024) as Manila’s 3rd district Representative Joel Chua expressed strong doubts on the viability of the P100 legislated wage hike, saying this will only result to inflation, layoffs of workers and possible shutdown of firms.

“Ang nakikita ko sa P100 increase, tatlo ang pwedeng mangyari. Una, pwedeng ipasa nila sa consumer ‘yung increase sa labor. Ang epekto, magtataas ‘yung mga bilihin.Pangalawa, pag hindi nila kakayanin, magbabawas sila ng labor sector. Pangatlo, malamang ‘yung iba magsara,” Chua said in his interview with TeleRadyo Serbisyo.

On Monday (19 February 2024), the Senate passed on third reading Senate Bill No. 2534, which seeks a P100 daily minimum wage increase for employees and workers in the private sector.

Gabriela party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas praised the Senate for passing SB 2534.

“Although the P100 increase in wages is not enough to reach the P1,193 family living wage, this is an initial step toward putting the spotlight on the plight of the workers who have long been calling for a significant wage hike,” Brosas noted.

For his part, Senator Bong Go urged the rich to distribute their income to the poor.

To recall, in a study last month, research group IBON Foundation found that a family of five in the National Capital Region (NCR) needs P1,193 daily or P25,946 monthly to live decently.

However, the existing minimum wage in the NCR is still pegged at P610 and lower in other regions.

(el Amigo/MNM)