"These funds are taxpayers' money, and we have to ensure that these are spent judiciously," Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr. said, referring to three separate checks issued, each worth P37.5 million, during the first three quarters of 2023, when Duterte was still leading the Department of Education.
"If the VP, as head of the Department of Education then, cannot give us a clear explanation as to how these were spent, then it is our duty as lawmakers to pursue what is necessary and legal, which may include the recommendation for plunder, to protect the public interest," Gonzales stressed.
"If she cannot explain how this P112.5 million was spent, we may have no choice but to consider recommending the filing of a plunder case," he reiterated.
With the threshold for plunder set at P50 million, the P112.5 million in question significantly surpasses that limit, according to the lawmaker.
Esta historia es de la edición October 28, 2024 de The Philippine Star.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición October 28, 2024 de The Philippine Star.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
MQuest Artists Agency offers acting, dance, voice workshops
Those who will participate in the MQuest Artists Agency (MQAA) acting, dance, and voice public workshops will get the chance to be discovered and have exclusive access to auditions and the opportunity to join the MQAA talent pool.
SAM VERZOSA ON GIRLFRIEND RHIAN RAMOS: SHE'S MY LUCKY CHARM
SAM VERZOSA DESCRIBED girlfriend Rhian Ramos his \"lucky charm\" after receiving back-to-back awards this month.
The charmed life of Happy Ongpauco-Tiu
I was recently invited to the birthday lunch of PR guru Susan Joven at Tsokolateria-Pamana restaurant in the new GH (Greenhills) Mall.
FEELING RIZAL HOVER 'IN THE AIR' TONIGHT IN HEIDELBERG
HEIDELBERG, Germany—They say history is not just something we read or study; it is something we walk through. All our movements and moments become, in a sense, historic (with the magnitude of their historicity being relative, of course). History inhabits the air of cities—most especially old, grizzled ones such as Heidelberg in Germany with the hum and thrum of its cobblestones, where we recently echoed the footfalls not only of countless German figures who have shaped history but also of one Dr. Jose Rizal.
New Phl CPF finalized early next year – WB
The World Bank expects to finalize by early next year its new country partnership framework (CPF) that will outline programs to be supported in the Philippines for 2025 until 2028.
Focus on exports
Federation of Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) president Cecilio Pedro hopes that government officials would focus on increasing the country's self-sufficiency next year in the face of possible tariffs threats from the United States with the expected takeover of the government by president-elect Donald Trump.
ERC: EPIRA amendments could bring down power costs
The proposed changes to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) could deliver the long-awaited solution to soaring electricity costs, according to the country's power regulator.
The bigger problems
\"In the larger scheme of things, Sara is unimportant. So please do not file impeachment complaints. It will only distract us from the work of governance which is to improve the lot of all Filipinos.\"
Phl MSMEs among target beneficiaries of ADB, Mastercard financing in Asia-Pacific
Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the Philippines are among the initial target beneficiaries of financing from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Mastercard to support small businesses in Asia-Pacific.
Metro Retail revisiting network expansion plan
Metro Retail Stores Group Inc., the listed retail company of the Gaisano Group, is revisiting its network expansion plan and strategies to adapt to the changing preferences of Filipino consumers.