25 Nobyembre,2024 Lunes
No to Divorce!!!
Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez
No to SOGIE bill
PM for any hospital discharge problem
Happy Birthday Rosita Belmonte-Jose more birthdays to come
Happy Birthday Jo Ephraim Lopez more birthdays to come
Family of the late Jocelyn “Jo” Lising-Abelgas appreciates every moments shared by friends and relatives in their bereavement
ACT backs Sara’s impeachment
By J.Lo
“ACT strongly supports demand for accountability and joins call for impeachment of Sara Duterte-Carpio…. ACT also urges Congress to abolish all confidential funds, have become source of corruption, and to redirect resources toward education and basic social services,” Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) chairman Vladimer Quetua said public school teachers are backing calls for impeachment of Duterte, saying revelations at House of Representatives signal alarming anomalies surrounding her public spending as vice president and former education secretary.
ACT said public should not be distracted by Vice President’s “theatrics,” as these were “calculated” to divert attention from serious corruption allegations about her confidential fund spending.
“We will not be swayed by these theatrical diversions…we call on Congress to prioritize its oversight functions, pursue thorough and immediate investigation into these serious issues, and back people’s impeachment calls amid Duterte camp’s desperate attempts to deflect attention and portray themselves as victims,” Quetua said.
ACT stressed alleged corruption involving Duterte in two agencies should be dealt with accountability, as teachers and students continue to bear brunt of severe shortages in public schools.
For its part, Congress of Teachers and Educators for Nationalism and Democracy (CONTEND) condemned Duterte’s expletive-laced press conference from House on Saturday and demanded Vice President be held accountable.
“Congressional hearings have exposed troubling irregularities, including falsified accomplishment reports with fictitious names and signatures, blatant violations of COA, Commission on Audit regulations, and alleged bribery schemes within Department of Education (DepEd), we call on all educators, students, and education workers to remain vigilant and united in demanding full accountability… Duterte dynasty’s attempt to portray themselves as victims while systematically plundering public resources must be exposed and opposed,” it said.
House of Representatives’ committee on good government and public accountability has found many grounds for filing of impeachment complaint against Duterte, committee chairman and Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua said.
Chua said none of his colleagues in Congress has so far attempted to file impeachment case against Vice President.
He said recent statement made by Duterte, where she threatened to have President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.assassinated, was “disturbing” coming from second highest official of the land.
“Definitely, statement that she unleashed is disturbing… not befitting vice president… we are officials of the government. ..we should be careful with words that we state, especially second highest official of the country, she should have thoroughly thought it over first, our Vice President, before she stated those words,” Chua said when asked if Duterte’s statement can be used as grounds for filing impeachment case against her.
Chua’ss committee has yet to conclude its investigation into P612.5 million confidential fund that was allegedly misused by Duterte in Office of the Vice President (P500 million) and Department of Education (P112.5 million) during her stint as its secretary.
“If there is ground for the filing of impeachment, I said yes…there are grounds…we saw it during hearings of committee…but whether it will push through, that, I cannot answer yet,” he stressed.
Chua said grounds for filing of impeachment complaint against Duterte include betrayal of public trust and corruption.
“That is the reason why we are giving her opportunity to answer all allegations against her…she should answer all allegations that have never been explained yet…for example, P15 million that was used by DepEd in the Youth Leaders Summit they cannot explain…it was spent in 11 days, there are many questions…there are many issues…they are given chance to answer them…who knows if they have logical answer for this…why did they rent safehouse worth P1 million per day, for eleven days…where is the location?” he said.
Chuia said Vice President also has to explain to committee if receipt signatory “Mary Grace Piattos” exists or is made-up name.
“They have to explain also who is Kokoy Villamin, one of the signatories of acknowledgment receipts…same name, but different persons…we are looking at all of that with grounds,” Chua said.
He said that their investigation is “in aid of legislation.”
“There are many loopholes in the law…one of the bills that I want to file is limitation of release of confidential funds to government agencies that are involved in intelligence gatherings only,” Chua said.
He hinted that his committee may conclude today its investigation on alleged misuse of confidential funds at OVP, and at DepEd when Duterte was still secretary
ISKUP! 