REPRESENTATIVE Jude Acidre of Tingog Partylist has issued a strong condemnation of the undisclosed cash allowances distributed to Department of Education (DepEd) officials during Vice President Sara Duterte’s tenure.
In a House hearing on Tuesday, DepEd Chief Accountant Ma. Rhunna Catalan revealed that she received cash envelopes on several occasions last year, totaling P25,000, without any formal documentation or budget allocation. These funds, characterized as “allowances” from the Vice President’s office, directly contradict the agency’s established “no gift policy.”
Acidre did not hold back in expressing his concern over this troubling contradiction. “In public service, policies like the ‘no gift policy’ are meant to uphold integrity, accountability, and transparency. However, when leadership’s actions contradict these principles, it sends a damaging message. While VP Duterte’s directive to enforce this policy was commendable, the revelation of cash gifts given without oversight raises serious questions about both consistency and ethical standards.”
Catalan’s testimony has intensified scrutiny of financial practices within DepEd.
Acidre noted, “Such actions, if allowed to persist, create confusion among personnel and lead to skepticism about the sincerity of established policies. Trust is crucial for unity and effectiveness within any department. The stark inconsistency between what is preached and what is practiced undermines not only the policy itself but also the credibility of leadership.”
As the investigation into DepEd’s financial practices continues, Acidre underscored the importance of accountability. “Public funds belong to the public, and as stewards of these resources, DepEd’s leaders must be above reproach. Congress will persist in seeking answers because ethical governance is not a courtesy—it’s an obligation.”
