In a dramatic political turn, two women named Gloria are now playing opposing roles in Vice President Sara Duterte’s life, with former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo defending her while former education undersecretary Gloria Mercado accuses her of corruption.
Mercado, who once served as Duterte’s thesis adviser, alleged that she received monthly payments of P50,000 to influence bidding processes at the Department of Education, including a controversial P11-billion computerization program.
Although Mercado refrained from labeling the payments as bribes, she claimed they pressured her to resign when she insisted on adhering to procurement rules.
In response, Duterte characterized Mercado as a “disgruntled former employee” and challenged her to provide evidence for her allegations, presenting accusations of her own against Mercado.
The situation raises concerns about the integrity of the Department of Education’s funding and operations, with calls for a thorough investigation into the matter to ensure accountability.
Source: PhilNews24 | October 1, 2024
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