Metro Manila, Philippines — House Deputy Minority Leader Rep. France Castro is pushing for a “comprehensive” inquiry into Vice President Sara Duterte’s supposed corrupt activities when she was education chief.
The representative of ACT Teachers’ expressed alarm after former and sitting education officials claimed that they received envelopes with cash from then-Secretary Duterte’s office, without knowing its purpose.
READ: Ex-DepEd official bares extra money; Duterte bucks claim
“Such practices, if true, constitute a serious breach of public trust and must be addressed with utmost urgency,” Castro said in a statement on Sunday, Oct. 20.
“The education sector is already grappling with significant issues, including the perennial shortage of classrooms. Instead of addressing these challenges, the alleged corruption further undermines the quality of education that Filipino students deserve,” she added.
The alleged practice was revealed during the House committee on good government and public accountability’s inquiry into Duterte’s confidential funds, which already had three rounds of hearings.
Castro noted that a few aspects have only been discussed by the panel, demanding for its comprehensive probe. However, she said a separate investigation would be better if the committee would have limited deliberations.
Duterte, in a press briefing on Friday, argued that the government spending of millions in a day for projects is not surprising.
