Ombudsman orders VP Sara Duterte, 9 others to submit counter-affidavits on confidential funds

The Ombudsman has ordered Vice President Sara Duterte and nine other officials to submit counter-affidavits within ten days concerning alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds.

The complaint includes serious charges such as plunder, bribery, corruption, technical malversation, falsification, perjury, betrayal of public trust, and culpable violation of the Constitution.

These funds were disbursed by the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd), both previously led by Duterte.

The Ombudsman's directive followed a recommendation from the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, which submitted its report on June 16.

Ombudsman Samuel Martires questioned why the House committee furnished the Ombudsman with a copy of its investigation report if the House itself did not file a complaint against Duterte.

The Office of the Vice President (OVP) confirmed receipt of the Ombudsman's order on Friday morning.

Lawmaker Joel Chua stated that the Ombudsman's move to initiate a preliminary investigation affirms the findings of the House committee and indicates the presence of prima facie evidence.

Chua added that the swift response, including skipping the usual fact-finding phase and issuing subpoenas, "speaks volumes" about the seriousness of the allegations and suggests the Ombudsman found sufficient evidence to proceed.