The House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability will conclude its investigation into the use of confidential funds by Vice President Sara Duterte’s offices on Monday, Manila 3rd District Representative Joel Chua announced.
Committee Chair Chua explained that ending the probe would allow the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to conduct its investigation into allegations that two military officers received portions of the confidential funds from Duterte’s offices.
“Para makapigbay ng linaw dito and to give way to the investigation, hahayaan na namin ang AFP na mag conduct ng kanilang sariling imbestigasyon pagdating po dito,” Chua said in an interview with Super Radyo DzBB on Sunday.
(To clarify this issue and to give way to the AFP’s investigation, we will let the AFP conduct its probe on this matter.)
Chua also noted that the decision to wrap up the inquiry was partly due to the impeachment complaints filed against the Vice President.
“May mga nag fa-file na rin ng impeachment sa ating Bise Presidente kaya minarapat po namin na i-wrap up na po ito ng sa ganoon ay hindi na po ito magamit dahil we have to be remided na ang purpose talaga nitong ginagawa naming imbestigasyon ay in aid of legislation,” Chua said.
(Impeachment complaints are already being filed against the Vice President, so we decided to conclude the investigation to avoid it being used for other purposes. We must remember that this probe is in aid of legislation.)
Should the impeachment complaints progress, the House Committee on Justice would take over the investigation, Chua added.
Two impeachment complaints were filed against Duterte. Advocacy groups filed the first complaint, which was endorsed by Akbayan Party-list Representative Perci Cendaña. The second was submitted by the Makabayan bloc.
Legislative Measures
Monday’s hearing would be an open session attended only by panel members, focusing on legislative measures to address issues surrounding confidential funds.
Chua highlighted plans to tighten requirements for appointing special disbursing officers (SDOs).
“Isa sa mga ipapasa naming batas ay nag pagpapahigpit sa mag requirements sa SDO (special disbursing officers). Hindi pupwedeng basta-basta ka maging SDO kasi ito’y napakabigat na responsibilidad,” Chua said.
(One proposed measure will implement stricter requirements for SDO appointments. Being an SDO is a significant responsibility.)
The panel is also pushing for stricter limitations on confidential funds, restricting them to agencies involved in intelligence, national security, and peace and order.
“Dapat limitado lamang ang mga ahensya o departamento na biibigyan ng confidential funds. Lalong-lalo na yung mga ahensya o departamento na walang kinalaman sa intelligence gathering, national security, at peace and order,” Chua said.
(The agencies or departments receiving confidential funds should be limited, especially if these agencies have nothing to do with intelligence gathering, national security, and peace and order.)
He added, “Isa sa recommendations namin ay kapag ang confidential funds ay nabigyan ng notice of disallowance, mawawala na yung confidentiality nature ng pondo at puwede na ito usisain ng mabuti.”
(One of our recommendations is that when a confidential fund receives a notice of disallowance, it should lose its confidential status, allowing for thorough scrutiny.) — DVM, GMA Integrated News
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