Sara Duterte says former DepEd exec part of 'political machinery'

Ex-Education undersecretary Gloria Mercado told a House panel on Sept. 25, 2024 that cash given to her by the office of then Education Chief, Sara Duterte, may have been meant to influence the bidding for supply contracts. House of Representatives

MANILA — Vice President Sara Duterte on Thursday alleged that former Education Usec. Gloria Mercado is part of a "political machinery," as she called on lawmakers to "stop using witnesses without credibility."

• Ex-DepEd official claims receiving monthly 'envelopes' from Duterte

"Sa pagpapatuloy ng mga tangka na sirain ang pagkatao ko, nais ko sanang himukin ang ating mga mambabatas na itigil ang paggamit ng mga testigo na walang kredibilidad o di kaya ay kwestyonable ang layunin,"said Duterte, who was Department of Education (DepEd) secretary from 2022 until June of this year.

This comes after Mercado, speaking before a House of Representatives panel Wednesday, claimed that she received envelopes with P50,000 each, which were handed to her monthly on top of her salary since she was appointed Head of the Procuring Entity (HOPE) for DepEd in February 2023.

• Ex-procurement official claims to have received cash from then DepEd chief Duterte

"Halimbawa nito ay si Gloria Mercado na tinanggal sa pwesto bilang undersecretary ng Department of Education at ngayon ay bahagi na ng political machinery laban sa akin. Nais ng Kongreso na paniwalaan ng mga Pilipino si Mercado at kalimutan na umamin itong masama ang kanyang loob nang mawala sa pwesto," she added.

Duterte reiterated that Mercado allegedly "asked P16 million from a private company", which was among the reasons why she was removed from her post.

"Humingi si Mercado ng P16 million mula sa isang pribadong kompanya. Malinaw na ito ay labag sa batas. Hindi rin niya ito maaaring itanggi dahil may mga dokumento ito at pirmado niya mismo," the Vice President said.

• Sara Duterte dares ex-DepEd exec: Show proof of corruption

"Iginiit niya na mabigyan ng teaching item ang isang indibidwal sa Region VII at ginawa niya itong Executive Assistant sa DepEd Central Office. Makikita ang service record ng taong ito sa BHROD ng Deped," she added.

Duterte also had more to say about Mercado's "character" at the DepEd.

"Maliban sa hinaharap na kaso ng korapsyon, kilala din si Mercado sa kanyang ugaling paninira sa mga kasamahan sa trabaho, kabilang na ng kapwa matataas na opisyal ng DepEd. Sa akin mismo ay sinubukan ni Mercado na siraan ang tatlong opisyal ng DepEd," she said.

ABS-CBN News has been trying to reach out to Mercado on Duterte's allegations, but to no avail as of posting.

LIE DETECTOR TEST?

For Zambales Rep. Jay Khonghun, Duterte should take a lie detector test, alongside Mercado. 

"Kung talagang sa puso ni VP Duterte eh feeling niya nagsasabi siya ng totoo, mag-lie detector test na lang silang dalawa ni Usec. Mercado, para magkaalaman kung sino nagsasabi ng totoo. Hindi na kailangan pang magdeny at manira sa presscon," Khonghun said in a press release.

• 'Hindi ako aalis dito': Sara Duterte rejects resignation calls from lawmakers

The lawmaker pointed out that Mercado testified under oath before the House committee as opposed to Duterte who refused take an oath during a previous congressional hearing.

• VP Duterte moves to 'terminate' House probe into fund use: 'This is a political attack'

"Yung testimony ni Usec. Mercado, she made under oath. Si VP Duterte refused to take the oath. Kaya hindi mo maalis sa aming mga mambabatas ang magduda sa transparency ni VP Duterte. Kaya mas maganda, mag-lie detector test na lang siya," he said.

Khonghun said the revelations were not only about irregularities, but of integrity to public service.

RELATED VIDEO: