Vice President Sara Duterte has urged the Office of the Ombudsman to conduct a full investigation into the alleged laptop corruption scandal that occurred within the Department of Education (DepEd) during the previous administration.
In a press briefing held on Tuesday, October 14, VP Sara revealed that former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co was allegedly involved in the controversy.
“Kung talagang seryoso ang Ombudsman sa pag-iimbestiga, imbestigahan [din] nila ‘yong laptop corruption scandal ng Department of Education,” she said.
“Nandoon si Zaldy Co,” she added emphatically.
The Vice President, who once served as DepEd Secretary, said she is aware of Co’s alleged involvement based on the department’s own internal probe.
“Alam ko ‘yon dahil gumawa kami ng sarili naming investigation sa loob ng Department of Education noong ako ay Department of Education Secretary,” Duterte stated.
She further disclosed that confidential funds were utilized to support the internal investigation and evidence-gathering efforts at that time.
“Medyo say na mayroong confidential funds na pumunta doon sa paghahanap ng ebidensya sa imbestigasyon na ‘yon,” she said.
VP Sara also identified Sunwest as the contractor linked to the laptop procurement.
“Sunwest ang contractor ng laptop doon sa DepEd,” she added.
The “overpriced laptops” controversy first emerged during the term of former DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones, an appointee of former President Rodrigo Duterte, VP Sara’s father. The laptops were intended to aid teachers and students in continuing education amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the project later became the subject of public scrutiny and investigation due to allegations of excessive pricing and irregular procurement processes.