Ex-DepEd official claims receiving monthly 'envelopes' from Duterte during tenure as head of procurement | ABS-CBN
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Ex-DepEd official claims receiving monthly 'envelopes' from Duterte during tenure as head of procurement
Ex-DepEd official claims receiving monthly 'envelopes' from Duterte during tenure as head of procurement
Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio gestures during a press briefing at the Cybergate building in Mandaluyong City on September 25, 2024. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News
Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio gestures during a press briefing at the Cybergate building in Mandaluyong City on September 25, 2024. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN NewsMANILA -- A former official of the Department of Education told a House panel on Wednesday that after being appointed Head Of the Procuring Entity (HOPE) for DepEd in February 2023, envelopes that contained P50,000 was handed to her monthly, on top of her salary.
MANILA -- A former official of the Department of Education told a House panel on Wednesday that after being appointed Head Of the Procuring Entity (HOPE) for DepEd in February 2023, envelopes that contained P50,000 was handed to her monthly, on top of her salary.
Former Education Undersecretary Gloria Mercado said she was told the envelopes came from then DepEd chief, Vice President Sara Duterte. Asked if the motive was to influence her decision as lead of the group procuring for DepEd, Mercado said “it could be.”
Former Education Undersecretary Gloria Mercado said she was told the envelopes came from then DepEd chief, Vice President Sara Duterte. Asked if the motive was to influence her decision as lead of the group procuring for DepEd, Mercado said “it could be.”
"Between February of 2023 to September 2023, I received a total of nine envelopes labeled HOPE, my concurrent position at DepEd during that time. These envelopes were handed to me mostly by Assistant Secretary, Sunshine M. Fajarda, which she says came directly from Vice President [Sara] Duterte," Mercado told the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability.
"Between February of 2023 to September 2023, I received a total of nine envelopes labeled HOPE, my concurrent position at DepEd during that time. These envelopes were handed to me mostly by Assistant Secretary, Sunshine M. Fajarda, which she says came directly from Vice President [Sara] Duterte," Mercado told the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability.
“You will not uncomfortably open an envelope you describe as allowance. You will not be thinking about the ombudsman case. You will not be protecting about yourself. The reason why you are considering all these concerns is because you believe that that envelope is a bribe, do you agree?” Batangas 2nd District Representative Gerville Luistro asked.
“You will not uncomfortably open an envelope you describe as allowance. You will not be thinking about the ombudsman case. You will not be protecting about yourself. The reason why you are considering all these concerns is because you believe that that envelope is a bribe, do you agree?” Batangas 2nd District Representative Gerville Luistro asked.
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“It’s a kind of a harsh word to use: bribe,” Mercado replied.
“It’s a kind of a harsh word to use: bribe,” Mercado replied.
“Or should I say, it is a means to influence your decision being the HOPE?” Luistro inquired further.
“Or should I say, it is a means to influence your decision being the HOPE?” Luistro inquired further.
“It could be,” Mercado said.
“It could be,” Mercado said.
The former DepEd official, who had been in public service for 40 years, said she did not immediately open the envelopes and hoped to return it during the exit call she requested before going into voluntary retirement.
The former DepEd official, who had been in public service for 40 years, said she did not immediately open the envelopes and hoped to return it during the exit call she requested before going into voluntary retirement.
But the exit call did not happen.
But the exit call did not happen.
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“When I retired already, I was asking for an exit call so I could return. I wanted to return those envelopes. But I wasn’t able to have that exit call. I wasn’t able to return. So, I sought some advice, and they advised me to donate it to a non-government organization, which I did, and that was the only time I opened those envelopes, in front of the people I was donating it to. It was P50,000 per envelope. They issued me a receipt for P450,000,” Mercado said.
“When I retired already, I was asking for an exit call so I could return. I wanted to return those envelopes. But I wasn’t able to have that exit call. I wasn’t able to return. So, I sought some advice, and they advised me to donate it to a non-government organization, which I did, and that was the only time I opened those envelopes, in front of the people I was donating it to. It was P50,000 per envelope. They issued me a receipt for P450,000,” Mercado said.
She also told the panel that Duterte’s chief of staff asked her to resign after she asserted in October 2023 that procurement for the DepEd Computerization Program must be "implemented and conducted in strict adherence with the rules".
She also told the panel that Duterte’s chief of staff asked her to resign after she asserted in October 2023 that procurement for the DepEd Computerization Program must be "implemented and conducted in strict adherence with the rules".
Mercado claimed that a former official of DepEd advised bidders to “just discuss among themselves” the fate of the bidding. This was disputed by the said official.
Mercado claimed that a former official of DepEd advised bidders to “just discuss among themselves” the fate of the bidding. This was disputed by the said official.
“Sometime in October 2023, as the likelihood of a bidding failure for DepEd Computerization had become apparent, I was approached, sorry, by Atty. Munsayac, and he suggested in the presence of other officials who was with me, that the bidders should just discuss among themselves — mag-usap-usap na lang para hindi masayang ang pera ng 2023,” Mercado said.
“Sometime in October 2023, as the likelihood of a bidding failure for DepEd Computerization had become apparent, I was approached, sorry, by Atty. Munsayac, and he suggested in the presence of other officials who was with me, that the bidders should just discuss among themselves — mag-usap-usap na lang para hindi masayang ang pera ng 2023,” Mercado said.
“I firmly asserted that the procurement must be implemented and conducted in strict adherence with the rules. Sometime in the 3rd or 4th week of October, I was summoned by Ms. Zuleika Lopez, the Chief of Staff to the Vice President and Undersecretary of the OVP. I was informed that I should tender my resignation effective that day,” she added.
“I firmly asserted that the procurement must be implemented and conducted in strict adherence with the rules. Sometime in the 3rd or 4th week of October, I was summoned by Ms. Zuleika Lopez, the Chief of Staff to the Vice President and Undersecretary of the OVP. I was informed that I should tender my resignation effective that day,” she added.
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“I refused to resign and I insisted on departing from service through voluntary retirement. The timing of my meeting with Ms. Zuleika struck me as more than coincidental, it gave me the impression that my candid responses were the real reason behind the push to relieve me of my office. It was as if I had become an unwelcome obstacle, despite simply doing my job as hope and Undersecretary of DepEd,” Mercado noted.
“I refused to resign and I insisted on departing from service through voluntary retirement. The timing of my meeting with Ms. Zuleika struck me as more than coincidental, it gave me the impression that my candid responses were the real reason behind the push to relieve me of my office. It was as if I had become an unwelcome obstacle, despite simply doing my job as hope and Undersecretary of DepEd,” Mercado noted.
"Wala akong dahilan o interes o inklinasyon na magbigay ng isang illegal na order sa isang pampublikong lugar na may mga tao na hindi ko manlang kilala. Sabi ko, ano ang plano niyo dyan? Kasi kung itutuloy niyo ang post qualification at magla-lapse yan, hindi na aabot ‘yan sa December 2023. So mag-decide na kayo kung ire-rebid niyo yan. Kasi kung ire-rebid niyo yan, hindi masasayang ang pondo, mauutilize pa ‘yan bago mag-end ang 2023," former Education Assistant Secretary Reynold Munsayac said, disputing Mercado’s claim.
"Wala akong dahilan o interes o inklinasyon na magbigay ng isang illegal na order sa isang pampublikong lugar na may mga tao na hindi ko manlang kilala. Sabi ko, ano ang plano niyo dyan? Kasi kung itutuloy niyo ang post qualification at magla-lapse yan, hindi na aabot ‘yan sa December 2023. So mag-decide na kayo kung ire-rebid niyo yan. Kasi kung ire-rebid niyo yan, hindi masasayang ang pondo, mauutilize pa ‘yan bago mag-end ang 2023," former Education Assistant Secretary Reynold Munsayac said, disputing Mercado’s claim.
DISGRUNTLED?
In a press conference, Duterte challenged Mercado to present documents to prove her claims against her and her staff. The Vice President accused Mercado of being a “disgruntled” former DepEd employee, who was let go after she sent an unauthorized solicitation letter to a company in 2023 to ask for P16 million on behalf of the DepEd.
In a press conference, Duterte challenged Mercado to present documents to prove her claims against her and her staff. The Vice President accused Mercado of being a “disgruntled” former DepEd employee, who was let go after she sent an unauthorized solicitation letter to a company in 2023 to ask for P16 million on behalf of the DepEd.
“Gloria Mercado is a disgruntled former employee of the DepEd. She was let go because of loss of trust and confidence sa Office of the Secretary,” Duterte said.
“Gloria Mercado is a disgruntled former employee of the DepEd. She was let go because of loss of trust and confidence sa Office of the Secretary,” Duterte said.
Sought for comment during the House hearing, Mercado denied she solicited money. She took out the nine envelopes that used to contain the P50,000 given to her, and submitted it to the committee as proof of her allegations. Written on the envelopes is the word HOPE, which stands for Head Of Procuring Entity.
Sought for comment during the House hearing, Mercado denied she solicited money. She took out the nine envelopes that used to contain the P50,000 given to her, and submitted it to the committee as proof of her allegations. Written on the envelopes is the word HOPE, which stands for Head Of Procuring Entity.
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“I-turnover ko na ang envelope... the envelopes where the money was. Kasi ang sakit naman nun, ordinaryo lang akong trabahante tapos inaano ka ng Vice President, 'di ba. It’s very painful,” Mercado said.
“I-turnover ko na ang envelope... the envelopes where the money was. Kasi ang sakit naman nun, ordinaryo lang akong trabahante tapos inaano ka ng Vice President, 'di ba. It’s very painful,” Mercado said.
“I did not solicit, there was no money involved there… equipment siya na ite-turnover sa DepEd,” she added.
“I did not solicit, there was no money involved there… equipment siya na ite-turnover sa DepEd,” she added.
NO SHOW
Duterte sent a letter to the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability informing it that the OVP will not attend its hearing, saying the inquiry is based on “unsubstantiated allegations” and alleging that the rules of procedures governing the lower house’s inquiries “do not conform to the Constitution and violate the rights, privacy and dignity of persons appearing”. The Vice President added that issues pending before the Supreme Court should not be discussed before the House panel “lest we violate the rule on sub judice.”
Duterte sent a letter to the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability informing it that the OVP will not attend its hearing, saying the inquiry is based on “unsubstantiated allegations” and alleging that the rules of procedures governing the lower house’s inquiries “do not conform to the Constitution and violate the rights, privacy and dignity of persons appearing”. The Vice President added that issues pending before the Supreme Court should not be discussed before the House panel “lest we violate the rule on sub judice.”
She reiterated her request for the panel to immediately terminate the inquiry.
She reiterated her request for the panel to immediately terminate the inquiry.
But Committee Chairperson and Manila 3rd District Representative Joel Chua stressed the importance of pushing through with the inquiry and getting to the bottom of possible “irregularities” in the OVP’s utilization of its confidential funds in 2022 and 2023.
But Committee Chairperson and Manila 3rd District Representative Joel Chua stressed the importance of pushing through with the inquiry and getting to the bottom of possible “irregularities” in the OVP’s utilization of its confidential funds in 2022 and 2023.
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In 2022, of the OVP’s P125 million confidential expenses, P73 million was disallowed by the Commission on Audit. Chua added that COA also questioned part of OVP’s P375 million confidential expenses in the first three quarters of 2023.
In 2022, of the OVP’s P125 million confidential expenses, P73 million was disallowed by the Commission on Audit. Chua added that COA also questioned part of OVP’s P375 million confidential expenses in the first three quarters of 2023.
POSSIBLE PLUNDER?
The Committee Chairman noted of an alleged “disturbing pattern” in the disbursement of OVP’s confidential funds under Duterte, adding that the amount of “potentially misused funds” “surpasses the threshold for plunder”.
The Committee Chairman noted of an alleged “disturbing pattern” in the disbursement of OVP’s confidential funds under Duterte, adding that the amount of “potentially misused funds” “surpasses the threshold for plunder”.
“When one goes deeper and looks at the liquidation reports for these disbursements, a disturbing pattern and similarity emerges, with perfectly round numbers – ni isang sentimo ay walang butal – being attributed to expenses such as medicine and food. Paulit-ulit po, at parang kinopy-paste, ang liquidation ng Confidential Funds ng OVP,” Chua said.
“When one goes deeper and looks at the liquidation reports for these disbursements, a disturbing pattern and similarity emerges, with perfectly round numbers – ni isang sentimo ay walang butal – being attributed to expenses such as medicine and food. Paulit-ulit po, at parang kinopy-paste, ang liquidation ng Confidential Funds ng OVP,” Chua said.
“This committee is, understandably, very alarmed at these reports implying misuse of public funds, in particular, because of the astronomical, almost unimaginable amount of money involved. I must stress at this point that the sheer vastness of these potentially misused funds sets this matter apart from other instances of irregularity and disallowance – these amounts easily surpass the threshold for the crime of plunder under our laws,” he added.
“This committee is, understandably, very alarmed at these reports implying misuse of public funds, in particular, because of the astronomical, almost unimaginable amount of money involved. I must stress at this point that the sheer vastness of these potentially misused funds sets this matter apart from other instances of irregularity and disallowance – these amounts easily surpass the threshold for the crime of plunder under our laws,” he added.
Last hearing, Duterte asserted that there was no misuse of public funds in her office, claiming that the inquiry is a “well-funded and coordinated political attack”. Lawmakers denied this allegation.
Last hearing, Duterte asserted that there was no misuse of public funds in her office, claiming that the inquiry is a “well-funded and coordinated political attack”. Lawmakers denied this allegation.
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“We have not done anything wrong. There is no misuse of funds,” she said last September 18.
“We have not done anything wrong. There is no misuse of funds,” she said last September 18.
“This committee is not about politics, not about attacks, it is not even about the release or approval of any budget, as some have implied. This investigation is not prompted by any motive other than a desire to make the numbers make sense,” Chua said on Wednesday.
“This committee is not about politics, not about attacks, it is not even about the release or approval of any budget, as some have implied. This investigation is not prompted by any motive other than a desire to make the numbers make sense,” Chua said on Wednesday.
“This committee, and these proceedings, are about accountability – we seek to learn the truth of how public money, ang pera ng taongbayan, is being used, and whether or not our current laws, rules, and procedures are sufficient to ensure the security and safety of these funds,” he added.
“This committee, and these proceedings, are about accountability – we seek to learn the truth of how public money, ang pera ng taongbayan, is being used, and whether or not our current laws, rules, and procedures are sufficient to ensure the security and safety of these funds,” he added.
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House of Representatives
Vice President Sara Duterte
Department of Education
Sara Duterte
Gloria Mercado
Head Of the Procuring Entity
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