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Ombudsman should wait for outcome of Sara Duterte's impeachment trial: House prosecution
The House prosecution panel stated that the Ombudsman should postpone its decision on Vice President Sara Duterte's criminal prosecution until after the Senate impeachment court has rendered its verdict.
House prosecution panel spokesperson Antonio Audie Bucoy emphasized that impeachment proceedings take precedence over other investigations for impeachable officials.
Bucoy cited Section 21 of the Ombudsman Act, Republic Act 6770, which he claims prohibits the Ombudsman from investigating impeachable officials while impeachment is the primary mechanism for accountability.
This statement comes in response to Ombudsman Samuel Martires' order for the Vice President to answer allegations of criminal activities, including technical malversation, plunder, and falsification of public documents.
These allegations initially surfaced during the House panel's inquiry into the budget utilization of the Vice President's office, specifically concerning P612.5 million in confidential funds from 2022 to 2023.
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Ombudsman Samuel Martires announced that his office will hold off on resolving the case against Vice President Sara Duterte until after her impeachment trial concludes.
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Manila Representative Joel Chua stated that jurisprudence dictates impeachable officials must first face impeachment proceedings before any criminal case can be filed against them.
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Manila Rep. Joel Chua, also a member of the House impeachment prosecution panel, expressed surprise and concern over the Office of the Ombudsman's swift action on the House committee's recommendation to charge Vice President Sara Duterte.
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The House prosecution panel may resort to the Supreme Court as a final measure if the Senate decides to dismiss Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment case without a trial.
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Vice President Sara Duterte confirmed her legal team is preparing a reply to the Ombudsman regarding alleged misuse of confidential funds.
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