Lawmaker: Sara may face plunder case over confidential funds

National

VICE President Sara Duterte’s failure to explain how her office spent the P112.5 million in confidential funds during her term as secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd) would result in her facing plunder charges, a lawmaker said.

Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr. said Duterte must give a clear explanation of how the taxpayer’s money was spent by DepEd during her watch in 2023. But if she failed to account for the expenses of this secret fund, lawmakers would be forced to resort to legal remedies by recommending filing a plunder case against the vice president.

The confidential fund is included in the General Appropriations Act of 2023, which was released through three checks worth P37.5 million each. It was used by DepEd for “youth leadership summits.” The checks were issued to Special Disbursing Officer Edward Fajarda, who encashed them as cash advances.

But as to the details of how it was spent, no justification yet from the former Education secretary, making lawmakers doubt how the huge amount of money was really used.

Unlike the President, the Vice President does not have legal immunity, thus, Duterte could be sued.

“Kung ang Bise Presidente, bilang pinuno ng DepEd noong panahong iyon, ay hindi makapagbigay ng malinaw at sapat na paliwanag kung paano ginamit ang perang ito, tungkulin namin na ituloy ang kinakailangang mga legal na hakbang, kabilang ang kasong plunder, upang maprotektahan ang interes ng publiko," Gonzales said in a Philippine Star report.

Duterte served as Education Secretary from July 2022 to June 2024 before she resigned on June 19 this year.

On October 17, during the House good government and public accountability committee hearing, DepEd Undersecretary for Finance Annalyn Sevilla confirmed the issuance and encashment of the said check to Fajarda.

But she denied she is part of the utilization and liquidation of the said funds.

Gonzales said that the P112.5 million funds being scrutinized now by the lawmakers have already surpassed the plunder threshold which is just P50 million.

Republic Act No. 7080 which defines the crime of plunder, states that any public officer who acquires an ill-gotten wealth through a combination or series of overt or criminal acts…in the aggregate amount of at least P50 million shall be guilty of the crime of plunder which has a penalty of reclusion perpetua to death.(LAO)