De Lima doubts timing of Ombudsman order vs. VP Sara

June 21, 2025 , 05:58 PM

By Gabriel Kim Leal

(June 21, 2025) – Incoming Mamamayang Liberal Representative Leila de Lima on Saturday questioned the timing of the Ombudsman’s order requiring Vice President Sara Duterte to respond to plunder and malversation complaints.

On Friday, the Ombudsman directed Duterte and nine other officials from the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education to submit their counter-affidavits. The charges stemmed from complaints initiated by the House of Representatives over alleged misuse of confidential funds.

“Hindi mawawala sa atin na magduda, magsuspetya na baka nga ang balak ay, hindi malayo, ‘yung i-didismiss,” said De Lima.

The House adopted a committee report earlier this month recommending the filing of charges against Duterte and her officials. These include technical malversation, falsification of public documents, use of falsified documents, perjury, bribery, corruption, plunder, betrayal of public trust, and culpable violation of the Constitution.

De Lima pointed out that Ombudsman Samuel Martires—appointed by former President Rodrigo Duterte in 2018—is due to retire in July.

She suggested that the unusually fast action on the complaints could be an attempt to preempt the Senate impeachment trial against Duterte.

“Kapag i-dismiss ‘yan, babanggitin ng defense counsel eh. There’s a finding of probable cause,” added De Lima.

Duterte was impeached by the House on February 5, after 215 lawmakers signed the complaint citing grounds such as graft, corruption, betrayal of public trust, among others.

However, more than four months later, the Senate trial has yet to start over disagreements on procedural matters, including the proper transmittal of the articles of impeachment and whether the trial should move forward at all.

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