In a bold and controversial statement, House Assistant Majority Leader and Lanao del Sur 1st District Representative Zia Alonto Adiong has accused Vice President Sara Duterte of being the mastermind behind the misuse of confidential funds amounting to ₹612.5 million. The funds, entrusted to the Office of the Vice President (OVP), have allegedly been misappropriated using thousands of falsified acknowledgment receipts (ARs), according to Adiong.
The congressman revealed that these fake ARs contained fabricated names, signatures, and incorrect dates, which were deliberately created to conceal the alleged fraudulent activity. “We have been scammed through thousands of ARs that were hastily forged and manufactured,” Adiong stated.
Dubious Use of Code Names
Adiong also questioned the explanation given by OVP officials, who claimed that code names were used in the ARs for operational purposes. He criticized this practice, emphasizing that it undermines the security measures established by Joint Circular 2015-001, which outlines the proper handling and documentation of confidential funds.
“What is the point of having security measures in place under the Joint Circular if code names are simply used instead?” Adiong argued.
Direct Accusation Against Duterte
In his strongest statement yet, Adiong pointed directly at Vice President Sara Duterte as the central figure in the controversy. “There is only one person in the middle of the issues surrounding the anomalous utilization of confidential funds—the mastermind, Vice President Sara Duterte,” he asserted.
Adiong’s accusations suggest that the Vice President’s office not only violated the guidelines set by the Joint Circular but also engaged in systematic and deliberate efforts to obscure the misuse of public funds.
Call for Stricter Regulations
The congressman has called on his fellow lawmakers to enact stricter regulations on the allocation and utilization of confidential funds. He urged Congress to ensure that officials involved in the alleged misuse are held accountable.
“This is a blatant disregard of accountability and transparency,” Adiong said, emphasizing the need for legislative reforms to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The accusations have sparked intense debate in political circles, with some lawmakers calling for further investigation into the matter. Meanwhile, the Office of the Vice President has yet to issue an official response to Adiong’s allegations.
As the controversy unfolds, the public’s demand for transparency and accountability in government spending continues to grow. The issue has also reignited discussions on the proper oversight of confidential funds and the need for stringent safeguards to prevent misuse.