VP Sara Duterte faces plunder raps over P612.5M confidential funds

Civil society leaders, priests, economists, academics, and a student leader filed plunder, bribery, malversation, graft, culpable violation of the Constitution, and betrayal of public trust charges against Vice President Sara Duterte and 15 others on December 12, 2025.

The charges concern the alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds from the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) between 2022 and 2023.

Complainants allege a systematic scheme to divert, mishandle, and conceal these funds through unsupported vouchers and certifications, with cash advances allegedly turned over to unauthorized AFP officers.

Vice President Sara Duterte denounced the charges as "another fishing expedition" and a cover-up for corruption.

The PDP dismissed the plunder complaints as recycled and baseless, attributing them to a smear campaign.

Malacañang stated that the complaints should be properly investigated, emphasizing the need for evidence.

A political analyst suggested that groups should look into other issues against Vice President Sara Duterte with stronger legal merit to build a more substantial case, rather than solely focusing on the confidential funds issue.

The new complaints could be used for a fresh impeachment complaint against Duterte in February 2026, according to Cong. Leila de Lima and a student leader group.