The House of Representatives will “scrutinize the alleged misuse of confidential funds”, according to House Speaker Martin Romualdez, as the 19th Congress resumed session on Monday.

He gave assurances that the lower chamber will not betray public trust.

“We will scrutinize the alleged misuse of confidential funds, for no peso must go unaccounted for. Let this be our promise: Public trust is sacred, and this House will never betray it,” Romualdez said. 

The House leader did not specify in his speech which office allegedly misused confidential funds. 

A House panel previously investigated the offices led by Vice President Sara Duterte over such allegation, which she denied. 

Information revealed in the probe were used as basis for the impeachment complaints filed by different groups against the VP.

FOOD, ELECTRICITY

The lower House will also hold separate investigations into food and electricity issues, according to Romualdez.

“In the coming weeks, we will hold oversight hearings to ensure that people’s money serves the people’s needs. We will investigate the smuggling and hoarding that undermine our farmers and inflate food prices,” he said.

“We will probe P206 billion in disallowed expenditures by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, ensuring energy reforms that lower electricity costs,” the House Speaker added.

“We will demand answers for the P11.18 billion worth of expired medicines and underutilized PhilHealth funds- an affront to every Filipino, who struggles for access to healthcare,” Romualdez also said.

The House investigations will continue despite alleged attacks, according to the House Speaker.

“Sa mga umaatake sa atin para tumigil tayo sa  mga imbestigasyon, may mensahe tayo sa kanila: Itutuloy natin ang trabaho na inatang sa atin ng mamamayan. Hindi tayo aatras sa anumang laban para sa bayan,” Romualdez said.

“My dear colleagues, this is our moment to rise above partisan divisions and deliver for our people. Let history remember the 19th Congress not for its rhetoric, but for its resolve,” he urged his colleagues.