The House Committee on Justice on Tuesday formally incorporated documentary and digital records from the 19th Congress inquiry into the alleged misuse of confidential funds by the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) into its ongoing impeachment proceedings.
Batangas 2nd District Representative Gerville Luistro, chairperson of the committee, approved the adoption after Manila 3rd District Representative Joel Chua, who chaired the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability during the 19th Congress, authenticated the records and moved for their official inclusion.
“I was the chairperson during the 19th Congress of the Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability,” Chua said. “I was also there every hearing, and so I believe that I would be able confirm these documents as I was the one who instructed the Committee Secretary to issue the transcripts.”
Chua stressed that the records’ authenticity should no longer be questioned, as they were produced under the committee’s official authority during the inquiry in aid of legislation.
“So, I believe there is no reason now to question their authenticity,” he added.
Legislative Archives and Museum Management Service Director Marivic Pareja clarified that her office’s role was limited to custody and preservation of transmitted records.
Luistro confirmed that both physical and digital files from the earlier Good Government Committee investigation had been turned over and were now ready for full incorporation into the Justice Committee’s proceedings.
The adopted materials include detailed public testimonies gathered during the confidential funds controversy, such as sworn statements from former Education Undersecretary Gloria Jumamil Mercado and former Bids and Awards Committee chair Resty Osias, who linked envelopes of cash to officials close to then-Education Secretary Sara Duterte.
By adopting the records, the House Justice Committee now has a streamlined way to integrate prior testimonies, exhibits, and institutional memory directly into the impeachment case centered on the confidential funds issue.