Bayan Muna Chairperson Neri Colmenares joins the clamor for Vice President Sara Duterte to be held accountable for the misuse of confidential funds, as reported by the Commission on Audit (COA). The COA’s findings indicate a misuse of PHP 73 million in funds that could have been allocated to essential social services, highlighting the urgent need for transparency and accountability.
“The PHP 73 million wasted could have been used to provide substantial support for public health, education, and other social services. For instance, this amount could have provided millions of kilos of rice for hungry families, or funded thousands of scholarships for underprivileged youth,” Colmenares stated.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) that could buy 115,726.062 kg of rice priced at 64.08 based on August 16 prices.
Colmenares emphasized the importance of holding public officials accountable through various means, including impeachment. “Impeachment is a constitutional process that seeks to hold high-ranking officials accountable for betrayal of public trust and other offenses. However, the decisive factor remains the united and widespread action of the citizenry,” he explained.
Bayan Muna, with its consistent track record of demanding accountability from corrupt officials, has long stood against the misuse of confidential funds. Colmenares pointed out, “As part of the Makabayan bloc, we have been vocal critics of the unregulated use of confidential funds by public officials, including those by Vice President Duterte.”
He further challenged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to genuinely pursue a clean government, “as he claims,” and not allow the nation to be caught in the crossfire of elite interests. “The people are angry and hungry, and they deserve a government that spends public funds to uplift their lives rather than enrich a few,” Colmenares asserted.
Colmenares concluded with a strong call to action: “We must not let this issue fade into the background. The misuse of public funds is a betrayal of the people’s trust, and it is imperative that we demand accountability and justice. The Filipino people deserve no less.”#
