A storm is brewing over Vice President Sara Duterte as public school teachers rally behind impeachment calls, citing damning revelations from the House of Representatives about her public spending as vice president and former education secretary.
The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) has emerged as a vocal critic, urging the public not to be distracted by what they called Duterte’s “calculated theatrics” meant to deflect attention from allegations of corruption tied to her use of confidential funds.
“ACT strongly supports the demand for accountability and joins the call for the impeachment of Sara Duterte,” said ACT Chairman Vladimer Quetua. “Congress must abolish all confidential funds, which have become breeding grounds for corruption, and redirect these resources to education and basic social services.”
Public school teachers are backing calls for the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte, saying revelations at the House of Representatives signal alarming anomalies surrounding her public spending as vice president and former education secretary. https://t.co/RMPtp04Evz pic.twitter.com/h7PpZJRxJ6
— The Philippine Star (@PhilippineStar) November 25, 2024
Quetua underscored the urgency of an impartial investigation, urging Congress to prioritize oversight functions amid what he described as the Duterte camp’s desperate attempts to portray themselves as victims.
Allegations Unveiled
The congressional hearings have cast a harsh spotlight on Duterte’s time as education secretary and vice president. Allegations range from falsified accomplishment reports, fictitious signatures, and blatant violations of Commission on Audit (COA) regulations to bribery schemes within the Department of Education (DepEd).
Adding fuel to the fire, Rep. Joel Chua, chairman of the House committee on good government and public accountability, disclosed potential grounds for impeachment. These include betrayal of public trust and corruption, with focus on the alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds—P500 million linked to the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and P112.5 million under DepEd during Duterte’s tenure.
One particularly egregious example involves the unexplained expenditure of P15 million in 11 days for a Youth Leaders Summit. Investigators have also raised questions about a “safehouse” allegedly rented for P1 million per day, alongside suspicious receipt signatories like “Mary Grace Piattos,” whose existence remains unverified.
Educators and Lawmakers Speak Out
The Congress of Teachers and Educators for Nationalism and Democracy (CONTEND) condemned Duterte’s expletive-laden press conference over the weekend, calling for heightened vigilance and unity among educators, students, and workers in demanding full accountability.
“The Duterte dynasty’s attempt to portray themselves as victims while systematically plundering public resources must be exposed and opposed,” CONTEND said in a statement.
For his part, Rep. Chua stressed the need for Duterte to address these allegations head-on, adding that her recent inflammatory remarks—such as threatening to have President Marcos assassinated—are unbecoming of a public official, let alone the second-highest leader in the land.
“She should have thought it over before making such statements,” Chua said, calling them “disturbing” and unbecoming of her position.
A System Under Scrutiny
The hearings also revealed systemic weaknesses in laws governing confidential funds. Rep. Chua hinted at proposed legislation to restrict such funds solely to intelligence-gathering agencies, aiming to prevent future misuse.
As investigations continue, public sentiment grows louder. For educators, the stakes are deeply personal: classrooms across the nation suffer from chronic shortages in basic resources, while funds meant for education remain shrouded in controversy.
The road ahead for the Vice President—and the country’s education system—remains fraught with questions. Will the calls for Duterte’s impeachment gain momentum, or will the allegations be swept aside in the face of political maneuvering? One thing is clear: the public, and particularly the nation’s educators, are demanding answers.
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