DepEd exec wants NBI to probe maternity pay scam

An official of the Department of Education (DepEd) said an independent body such as the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) must look into the allegations of the so-called maternity pay scam in Taguig, according to Emil Sumangil’s “24 Oras” report on Friday.

“With all due respect sa ating regional office ang dami naming kaso sa kanila. Ang dami naming finile na kaso wala naman silang inaaksyunan,” Dr. Ellery Quintia, chief education supervisor for the curriculum implementation division of the DepEd Taguig Pateros, said.

“Para magkaroon kayo ng maganda at patas na pag-imbestiga patawan ninyo ng preventive suspension ang mga tao na involved dito sa aming division kasi kayang kaya nilang pakialaman yung papel,” he added.

DepEd spokesperson Michael Poa said the fact finding committee is not composed of people from the said school division.

“The fact finding committee is not composed of people or personnel from the school division office, kung nasaan ‘yung sinasabi nating whistleblower. In fact, that was made para maging impartial ang ating fact finding,” Poa said.

According to documents provided by a source in the DepEd's finance department, the person behind the scheme received money on several dates from February 2016 to August 2018, amounting to almost P497,000.

The teacher named in the documents denied the allegations.

She said that she did not get pregnant and did not receive any maternity pay.

Meanwhile, the cashier, who was one of the signatories for the release of the  maternity pay, said she was not aware of the matter.

“Hindi po ako aware eh kasi unang-una, signatory lang ako. So, maraming dinaraanan ang papeles bago ‘yan bumagsak sa aming opisina,” she said.

“Hindi ko naman po ‘yun function, na mag-scrutinize o mag-verify ng mga supporting documents para i-process kung legit ang payment,” she added.

She said that she will cooperate in the investigation and is willing to submit the necessary documents.

Vice President and DepEd Secretary Sara Duterte said she has ordered an investigation into the issue.

“Aming ie-endorse sa ating legal [team] sa DepEd ang pagimbestiga dito at tinatawagan ko ang ating mga personnel sa DepEd na magreport kung merong mga ganitong pangyayari,” Duterte said.—Richa Noriega/LDF, GMA Integrated News