Rep. Luistro to former DepEd USec. Mercado, “Do you believe that envelope was a bribe?”
During the House hearing on Wednesday, September 25, Rep. Gerville Luistro asked former DepEd Undersecretary Gloria Mercado about the envelopes she had received from Vice President Sara Duterte, “Do you believe that envelope was a bribe?”
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00:00And you did not open the envelope because you feel so uncomfortable. Do you confirm?
00:05Yes.
00:06And then recently you made mention, it was only once that I had this case with the ombudsman. Do you confirm?
00:13Yes, ma'am.
00:14And you also made mention that you wish to protect yourself. Do you confirm?
00:19Yes.
00:20And the reason, ma'am, is because you believe that that envelope is a bribe?
00:26Do you agree with me?
00:28Because otherwise, you will not appreciate the job as difficult.
00:34You will not be uncomfortable opening what you believe is allowance.
00:38You will not be thinking about the ombudsman case.
00:41You will not be thinking about protecting yourself.
00:44The reason why you are considering all these concerns is because you believe that the envelope is a bribe.
00:51Do you agree? Yes or no, ma'am?
00:58It's kind of a harsh word to use, bribe, because if…
01:05Or should I say it is a means to influence your decision being the hope?
01:14It could be.
01:16You said yes to that?
01:21You said it could be?
01:23It could be.
01:24I wish to manifest, Mr. Chair, that on the story, on the narration of the resource speaker about this envelope,
01:34she received and she refused to open until the same is donated from February 2023 to September 2023
01:45is a means actually to influence the decision of our resource speaker
01:52being the one who approved all the decisions of the BAC in behalf of the Deputy Secretary.
01:59Is that correct, ma'am?
02:06There was only one instance that I could recall.
02:10There was no one spoke to me about…
02:17Well, there was an instance where I tried to let a bidding lapse,
02:27but I ended up signing it because there was a protest.
02:42I'm not comfortable discussing it.
02:46But I wish to state for the record, Mr. Chair, that with the narration of our resource speaker,
02:54she earlier manifested that she believes that those envelopes are means to influence her decision as hope.