DECS foils another fund scam

Education Secretary Raul Roco revealed yesterday another attempt to secure the release of P357.9 million purportedly for the purchase of school supplies for six regions.

He said the fake request form for fund release was addressed to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, as did an earlier attempt to secure the release of P422.84 million also purportedly for supplies of public schools.

Both request forms were dated Jan. 19, a day before Mrs. Arroyo took her oath as the new president at the culmination of People Power 2.

Roco believes that someone well-placed at the education department and who has contacts with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) could be behind the irregularity.

Earlier, Roco said former Education Secretary Andrew Gonzalez denied signing the fake documents for the purchase of instructional materials.

The first fake request form was unmasked when Malacañang sent the document to the DECS for confirmation. — Sheila Crisostomo