Senator Raffy Tulfo has raised serious concerns regarding the release of P112.5 million in funds by the Department of Education (DepEd). This questioning occurred during the ongoing impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Concerns Over Regulatory Compliance
Wow, no! Under the COA circular, it should only be the head of that agency who happens to be the Vice President.
Raffy Tulfo, Senator-Judge
Tulfo's inquiry followed testimony from Nenita Camposano, a former LandBank manager for DepEd, who revealed that the agency encashed three checks totaling P112.5 million, each valued at P37.5 million. The Senator questioned the legitimacy of these transactions, highlighting that Edward Fajarda was not formally endorsed as the special disbursing officer (SDO).
According to Camposano, the bank relied solely on the documents provided by Fajarda for the encashment process. Tulfo responded by referencing a Commission on Audit (COA) circular, which stipulates that only the head of an agency or a formally designated representative can disburse confidential funds.
Emphasizing the importance of proper protocol, Tulfo noted, "Or, if the Vice President doesn't want to, she can designate someone to serve as her SDO. She would then sign a document endorsing that SDO, who, in this case, happens to be Fajarda."
This incident raises questions about the management of public funds and adherence to regulatory guidelines, especially in a department responsible for the education of millions of Filipino students.