Another DepEd Official Confirms Receiving Envelopes of Cash from VP Sara Duterte

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – The Department of Education (DepEd) continues to be embroiled in controversy as another high-ranking official has admitted to receiving envelopes containing cash from Vice President Sara Duterte during her tenure as Education Secretary.

DepEd Director and former Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) Chairman Resty Osias revealed during a House probe on Thursday, October 17, that he received four envelopes, each containing P12,000 to P15,000, from former DepEd Assistant Secretary Sunshine Fajarda between April and September 2023.

Osias stated that he initially believed this practice was commonplace within the department. “I must be candid about this. I must say, I did. I thought it was a common practice in the department,” he said in response to questioning from Manila 2nd District Representative Rolando Valeriano.

This revelation comes on the heels of former DepEd Undersecretary Gloria Mercado’s testimony, in which she claimed to have received nine envelopes containing P50,000 each from Duterte while serving as head of the agency’s procurement entity. Duterte has not categorically denied Mercado’s claims but maintains that Mercado was dismissed for using her name without permission to solicit P16 million from the private sector.

Valeriano noted that Osias stopped receiving envelopes in September 2023, coinciding with the public exposure of the confidential funds issue involving the Vice President. “Mukang sumakto. Sa panahon na ‘di na giganamit ng DepEd ang confidential funds for the last quarter nang pumuputok na issue ng confidential funds,” Valeriano stated, suggesting a possible connection between the cash gifts and the controversial use of confidential funds. (It seems to align. At the time when DepEd was no longer using confidential funds for the last quarter amid the escalating issue of confidential funds.)

Former DepEd spokesperson Michael Poa also admitted to receiving envelopes with cash from the Vice President “occasionally.” He recalled receiving one envelope in December 2022, explaining that he sometimes used his own money to assist individuals who sought help from his office. “I do remember sometime December 2022, I received an envelope with a minimal amount. There were instances I would receive, not from Asec Shine, but from the VP herself,” Poa said.

The Office of the Vice President has not yet commented on these latest revelations. This ongoing investigation into the alleged misuse of confidential funds and the practice of distributing cash envelopes within the DepEd continues to raise serious concerns about transparency and accountability within the agency. The House probe is expected to continue, with further revelations and potential implications for the Vice President and the DepEd leadership.