DepEd secret funds not used for youth summits, ex-aide says

Not a single peso from the Department of Education's (DepEd) confidential funds was used for the military's Youth Leadership Summits, confirmed a former aide to then-Secretary and now Vice President Sara Duterte. Former DepEd Undersecretary Michael Poa, who also served as Duterte's former chief of staff, stated before the Senate impeachment court on Wednesday that not "a single peso" from DepEd's confidential funds went to the Youth Leadership Summits organized by the military in 2023. This confirmation comes amid growing concerns about the transparency of DepEd's use of confidential funds. The allocation and disbursement of these funds are often subjects of public interest, as confidential funds in Philippine government agencies are typically not subject to detailed expenditure reporting due to their nature, frequently leading to controversies. Poa explained the management of confidential funds during Duterte's tenure as Education Secretary in response to questions from senators. His testimony appears aimed at dispelling allegations that DepEd's confidential funds were diverted from their intended purposes to specific activities. Accountability for the use of government budgets, especially confidential funds, is a constant issue in Philippine politics, and this testimony is being closely watched in that context. Vice President Sara Duterte has often been at the center of various discussions regarding her political stances and the use of public funds.