The House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability filed two measures following the series of hearings they conducted on the suspected misuse of confidential funds of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd).
From the years 2022 to 2023, both agencies had disbursed a huge amount of money from its confidential funds. This was done through its Special Disbursing Officers (SDOs), who later admitted to handing the money over to military officers.
As a result of their investigation, the Committee filed two measures: House Bill (HB) No. 11192 or the proposed “Confidential and Intelligence Funds (CIF) Utilization and Accountability Act” and House Bill (HB) No. 11193 or the proposed “Special Disbursing Officers Accountability Act.”
HB No. 11192 was filed to regulate the allocation and ulitization of CIF, and also imposes penalties for its misuse and misappropriation. This measure was based on the Joint Circular No. 2015-01.
According to the Committee Chairperson and Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua, the creation of this bill came after various “fictitious” names and signatories in the OVP and DepEd’s acknowledgement receipts appeared. The panel noted how the agency officers also could not explain the liquidation reports presented.
Meanwhile, HB No. 11193 aims to regulate and prescribe the qualifications for SDOs. Under the proposed measure, SDOs are required to be a permanent official or employee of the agency of at least Salary Grade 24. They are also required to have an educational background related to accounting, auditing, or finance.
This proposed bill would prevent heads of agencies and SDOs from misappropriating their funds. Based on the Committee’s investigation, millions were spent, without proper liquidation from the SDOs.
Chua also reiterated the purpose of fidelity bonds, and why it exists.
“Bagamat marami pa ring katanungan tungkol sa confidential funds, sapat na ang ating natuklasan para magampanan ang ating mandato na gumawa ng batas, para sa ikabubuti ng ating bansa,” Chua stated during the Committee’s final hearing.
The lawmaker emphasized that their investigation will continue, highlighting how crucial it is that the people know how the public funds were spent.
“Marami pa tayong kailangang busisiin at suriin upang matukoy kung ano pang aspeto ng paggamit ng pera ng bayan ang kailangan punan ng batas,” he said.
On Monday, the Committee sought the help of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) to verify the civil registry records of the 1,992 individuals linked to the confidential funds misuse of the OVP and DepEd.
