The Manila Times' front page reported that in order to thoroughly combat corruption, Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte and lawmakers are calling for a more in-depth investigation into the Philippine government.
Vice President Sara Duterte said that investigations into government corruption should not stop at flood control projects, but should be expanded to school construction programs.
"I mentioned this last year... [but] no one has talked about or investigated it until now. It's not just about flood control," Duterte said.
"They took the [funds] from the school construction program and allocated them in the House of Representatives, then inserted this list into the House version of the General Appropriations Bill, and then into the Senate," she added.
Duterte said that if the government is serious about opposing corruption, they should look at the full budget for 2024 and 2025, as well as the so-called blank projects found by Davao Congressman Isidro Ungab that have not been explained by the House of Representatives.
Duterte served as the Minister of Education until 2024, when she broke with the government and resigned.
The vice president visited her detained father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, in the Netherlands, and said she agreed with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s view on conducting lifestyle checks for elected and public officials.
Duterte said, "They shouldn't just investigate what is written in the SALN (Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth). This should be an in-depth investigation, including exposing those who are fake people serving as public officials."
She also stated that she supports punishing public officials and contractors involved in ghost and unqualified flood control projects.
On Wednesday afternoon (local time) in The Hague, Netherlands, Vice President Duterte was interviewed by supporters led by former President's spokesperson Harry Roque, during which she stated that the audit committee has the authority to investigate problematic projects based on its own audit or the investigation by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1841736731598848/
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