KEY personalities who could clarify the controversial use of the Department of Education’s P125 million confidential funds in 2022 remained elusive during a hearing by the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability.

Antipolo City Congressman Romeo Acop focused on the P16 million paid by DepEd for the rent of 34 safehouses from December 21 to 31, 2022.

The Commission on Audit was unable to provide details about the rented safehouses, including how many individuals were sheltered there and their identities.

Questions also remain about the P40 million spent over 56 days on medicine and food aid.

Even Manila Congressman Joel Chua, chairman of the House Blue Ribbon Committee, questioned how many individuals were fed and became ill, noting that DepEd appeared to have spent P840,000 per day on food and medicine.

Acop also highlighted the participation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in DepEd’s Youth Leadership Summit program, despite a lack of clear details.

The lawmaker suspected that DepEd may have used the Youth Leadership Summit to justify disbursements or expenditures from its confidential funds.