Vice President Sara Duterte accused President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of insincerity in his corruption probe on flood control projects, claiming he ignored warnings about alleged irregularities in the Department of Education’s budget during her tenure as secretary.
Duterte said lawmakers had divided the DepEd’s School Building Program funds among themselves and attached their projects to the House version of the 2024 budget, a scheme she insisted was raised in Malacañang but left unaddressed.
She called Marcos’ current probe “too little, too late,” suggesting it was merely a distraction from other political maneuvers.
Duterte, who resigned as education secretary in July 2024, citing “deep differences” with Marcos, has since accused House Speaker Martin Romualdez and his allies of inflating the classroom budget to gain control of billions in funds.
Malacañang, meanwhile, defended the president’s initiative, pointing out that lifestyle checks are being pursued, starting with DPWH officials, and urged the Dutertes to account for flood control projects built under the previous administration.
Source: PhilNews24 | September 3, 2025
