A FORMER Department of Education (DepEd) official, now an executive in the Office of the Vice President (OVP), has admitted to distributing cash to select DepEd officials under the direct instruction of Vice President Sara Duterte.
During a revealing exchange at the House Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on Monday night, House Assistant Majority Leader Jude Acidre questioned former DepEd Special Disbursing Officer Eduard Fajarda about the distribution of cash envelopes to DepEd officials. Fajarda admitted to carrying out the instructions, further implicating the Vice President in the controversy.
“Actually po, I was instructed by VP Sara,” Fajarda said when asked why he solicited personal bank account details from DepEd officials.
He clarified that the instructions came directly from Duterte, not through intermediaries, and that the funds were handed to him by Duterte herself.
The inquiry revealed that the envelopes were reportedly distributed to DepEd superintendents, though not all received them. Fajarda explained that recipients were selected based on bank account details, citing VP Duterte’s observation that some superintendents were using their personal money for office-related expenses.
However, Acidre presented evidence suggesting that a broader group of DepEd officials, particularly in Region 7, had been contacted. Fajarda admitted that he did not personally know all the superintendents and that not all of them received funds.
When asked about the origin of the funds, Fajarda stated, “Binibigay ‘po yun sa akin ni VP Sara,” confirming the Vice President’s personal knowledge of the cash distribution.
This admission follows similar revelations from four other former DepEd officials who also admitted to receiving envelopes from Duterte.
Acidre highlighted the consistent testimonies about the distribution of envelopes, raising concerns about the potential misuse of funds.
The hearing also revealed irregularities in the distribution process, with Fajarda admitting that cash was sent directly to the personal accounts of certain DepEd officials, bypassing official DepEd channels. This practice raises serious questions about transparency and accountability.
Acidre concluded that further investigations would likely yield similar responses from other DepEd officials, acknowledging the irregular and selective nature of the cash distributions.
The admission of direct involvement by Duterte in the distribution of funds through personal accounts raises serious questions about transparency, accountability, and potential misuse of public resources. The investigation is expected to continue, with the House Blue Ribbon Committee seeking to uncover the full extent of the cash distribution scheme and its implications.
