FACT CHECK: ‘News’ graphic listing confidential fund recipients from VP Sara trial is fake

House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III has pledged to continue implementing transparency reforms in the upcoming 2027 budget discussions, ensuring accountability and proper implementation of the spending plan. Speaking at a press briefing in Echague, Isabela, Dy emphasized that while the House of Representatives had not yet discussed these reforms in detail, they would introduce “more important security measures” to safeguard the proposed expenditures for the coming year. He refrained from providing further specifics, stating only that the reforms enacted last year had proven beneficial and that similar efforts would be pursued. The reforms from last year's budget deliberations came in response to controversies surrounding alleged manipulations in earlier spending plans. These included the abolition of a small committee responsible for finalizing the House’s budget bill in secrecy, which had previously hidden late-stage modifications. Additionally, civil society organizations were permitted to attend budget hearings, although they criticized their involvement as minimal. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s administration is planning a P7.2-trillion spending plan for 2027, scheduled to be submitted to Congress within 30 days following the president’s annual state address. This budget proposal is expected to undergo rigorous scrutiny and debate in the House, reflecting the ongoing commitment to financial transparency and accountability. Meanwhile, the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte has taken center stage, with various developments unfolding. Manases Carpio, the husband of Vice President Sara Duterte, has filed complaints against several House representatives involved in the impeachment proceedings, which some lawmakers have dismissed as a “delaying tactic.” The legal battle continues as both sides present their arguments and evidence. Malacañang has defended President Marcos Jr.'s decision to release the tax records of Vice President Sara Duterte and Manases Carpio to the Senate impeachment court, asserting that the action aligns with the law. This follows claims by Carpio that legal issues surrounding the authorization of the tax records merit further investigation. Efforts to address systemic issues in the energy sector have also gained momentum. Several bills aiming to eliminate system loss charges on electricity bills have been introduced in the House of Representatives, following President Marcos' call for legislative action on the matter during his State of the Nation Address. Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco highlighted the significance of these bills, emphasizing their potential impact on consumers. In the realm of education, a lawmaker has expressed hope that proposals addressing the shortage of textbooks will receive adequate attention from the House of Representatives. This comes amid President Marcos' emphasis on education in his recent State of the Nation Address, underscoring the need for comprehensive solutions to ensure equitable access to learning materials. The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte has seen intense exchanges, with House private prosecutor Lorna Kapunan accusing the alleged misuse of P612 million in confidential funds as “a scam against the people.” Kapunan's statements have drawn significant attention, highlighting the contentious nature of the proceedings. Former Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, serving as the House trial spokesperson and impeachment adviser, noted that acknowledgment receipts alone cannot substantiate the use of the funds for lawful intelligence activities. During the trial, Vice President Sara Duterte’s legal counsel, Michael Poa, confirmed participation in meetings with Commission on Audit (COA) officials to request an audit query regarding the use of confidential funds by the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd). Poa presented a 2014 Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) to demonstrate that the OVP had been allocated confidential funds in that year, contradicting the testimony of COA auditor Roderick Wamil. As the trial progresses, the defense team continues to challenge the prosecution's claims, presenting documents and testimonies to support their position. The proceedings remain highly charged, with each side striving to present compelling evidence and arguments to sway the outcome of the impeachment trial.