Gabriela seeks probe on ‘misuse’ of DICT confidential funds

The progressive group made the remark Monday after it was reported that Eliseo Rio
has stepped down from his post as undersecretary of the department.

Rio, in a letter dated January 30, reportedly revealed that there are questionable disbursements amounting to P300 million in the confidential funds of the DICT.

 

"Such revelation points to the possibility of more cases of misuse of public funds and multi-billion technical malversation to possibly suit the counterinsurgency thrust of the Duterte regime under the whole-of-nation approach," Gabriela said in a statement.

 

The women's party-list is urging more government officials to come forward and speak on this kind of anomaly, claiming that public funds are being funneled into counter-insurgency operations which "bend the mandates and functions of institutions."

 

"For 2020, the General Appropriations Act has no explicit line item for NTF-ELCAC yet it aggressively directs agencies to implement programs and activities to abide by the whole-of-nation approach under EO 70," the group said.

 

Prior to being appointed underscretary, Rio served as acting chief of the DICT. In his previous capacity, he oversaw the search for the third telco player in the country. —LDF, GMA News