MANILA — Vice President Sara Duterte on Thursday accused former Education Undersecretary Gloria Mercado of being part of a “political machinery,” urging lawmakers to refrain from using witnesses lacking credibility.
“Sa pagpapatuloy ng mga tangka na sirain ang pagkatao ko, nais ko sanang himukin ang ating mga mambabatas na itigil ang paggamit ng mga testigo na walang kredibilidad o di kaya ay kwestyonable ang layunin,” said Duterte, who served as Department of Education (DepEd) secretary from 2022 until June of this year.
This statement followed Mercado’s appearance before a House of Representatives panel on Wednesday, where she alleged receiving monthly envelopes containing P50,000 in addition to her salary since her appointment as Head of the Procuring Entity (HOPE) for DepEd in February 2023.
“Halimbawa nito ay si Gloria Mercado na tinanggal sa pwesto bilang undersecretary ng Department of Education at ngayon ay bahagi na ng political machinery laban sa akin. Nais ng Kongreso na paniwalaan ng mga Pilipino si Mercado at kalimutan na umamin itong masama ang kanyang loob nang mawala sa pwesto,” Duterte continued.
Duterte also accused Mercado of soliciting P16 million from a private company, which she said was one of the reasons for Mercado’s removal from her post.
“Humingi si Mercado ng P16 million mula sa isang pribadong kompanya. Malinaw na ito ay labag sa batas. Hindi rin niya ito maaaring itanggi dahil may mga dokumento ito at pirmado niya mismo,” Duterte added.
Additionally, Duterte alleged that Mercado tried to secure a teaching position for someone in Region VII and later appointed the individual as an Executive Assistant at the DepEd Central Office.
“Makikita ang service record ng taong ito sa BHROD ng DepEd,” she noted.
She also criticized Mercado’s character while serving at DepEd, alleging that Mercado was known for undermining colleagues, including senior officials.
“Maliban sa hinaharap na kaso ng korapsyon, kilala din si Mercado sa kanyang ugaling paninira sa mga kasamahan sa trabaho, kabilang na ng kapwa matataas na opisyal ng DepEd. Sa akin mismo ay sinubukan ni Mercado na siraan ang tatlong opisyal ng DepEd,” Duterte said.
Zambales Representative Jay Khonghun called on Duterte and Mercado to take a lie detector test to determine the truth behind the allegations.
“Kung talagang sa puso ni VP Duterte eh feeling niya nagsasabi siya ng totoo, mag-lie detector test na lang silang dalawa ni Usec. Mercado, para magkaalaman kung sino nagsasabi ng totoo. Hindi na kailangan pang magdeny at manira sa presscon,” Khonghun said in a press statement.
He also highlighted the fact that Mercado testified under oath before the House committee, whereas Duterte refused to do so during a previous congressional hearing.
“Yung testimony ni Usec. Mercado, she made under oath. Si VP Duterte refused to take the oath. Kaya hindi mo maalis sa aming mga mambabatas ang magduda sa transparency ni VP Duterte. Kaya mas maganda, mag-lie detector test na lang siya,” Khonghun added.
According to Khonghun, the issue was not just about irregularities but also about the integrity of public service.