The House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability on Wednesday officially ended its investigation into the budget utilization of the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education, specifically concerning the ₱612.5 million in confidential funds.
The decision came after the committee unanimously approved a motion filed by Abang Lingkod party-list Representative Stephen Paduano.
Although the committee’s final report has yet to be made public, committee chairperson and Manila 3rd District Representative Joel Chua said it may be released as early as next week.
Before the inquiry was terminated, at least three members of the House panel had raised the possibility in December that Duterte and certain officials from the OVP and the DepED could face charges for plunder, technical malversation of public funds, falsification of public documents, and perjury.
Representatives Gerville Luistro of Batangas, Raul Bongalon of Ako-Bicol party-list, and Johnny Pimentel of Surigao del Sur cited concerns over the OVP and DepEd’s submission of questionable acknowledgment receipts to the Commission on Audit (COA).
These receipts reportedly contained incorrect dates, signatures of individuals with no birth records, and signatories with unreadable or missing names—raising red flags in the liquidation of the ₱612.5 million in confidential funds.
Luistro also stated that the vice president and other officials from the OVP and DepEd could be held accountable for bribery and corruption of public officials, referencing witness testimonies alleging that Duterte gave money to DepEd officials, which they reportedly accepted.
However, Chua said he could not confirm whether these recommendations would be included in the final committee report.
“The decision will still have to be made by the committee,” he said.