By Rodolfo Dacleson II
(June 21, 2025) – The House of Representatives on Friday clarified it did not file the complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte and nine others from the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) over the alleged misuse of confidential funds before the Office of the Ombudsman.
House spokesperson Atty. Princess Abante said the lower chamber only transmitted a copy of the report from the committee on good government and public accountability to the Ombudsman on Monday.
The committee, chaired by incumbent Manila Rep. Joel Chua, conducted hearings into alleged irregularities on Duterte’s confidential funds in the OVP and DepEd worth P612.5 million combined from November to December last year.
It flagged the agencies’ acknowledgment receipts for containing fictitious names, repeated handwriting, and conflicting dates.
“Ang in-initiate lang ng House ay ‘yung impeachment trial through the transmission of the articles of impeachment,” said Abante in a media conference.
She furthered that forwarding the committee report to Ombudsman does not constitute “forum shopping,” as the House did not initiate any separate legal complaint.
“The action of the Ombudsman was upon the recommendation of a committee report from the House of Representatives. We are looking forward pa rin for the impeachment trial to proceed,” added Abante.
On Thursday, the Ombudsman ordered Duterte and the others to respond within 10 days to allegations related to questionable disbursements of confidential funds under the OVP and the DepEd, which she previously headed.
“Failure to file counter-affidavit within the aforesaid period shall be deemed as waiver of respondents’ right to submit controverting evidence and the preliminary investigation shall proceed accordingly,” read the complaint.
The respondents are being investigated for possible malversation, use of falsified documents, perjury, bribery, corruption of public officers, plunder, betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the constitution.
On Friday, the OVP confirmed to reporters that it already received the directive from the Ombudsman but has yet to release a public comment.
Last February, Duterte was impeached by 215 House lawmakers due to her irregular confidential funds spending, among accusations of constitutional violations, bribery, graft and corruption, and betrayal of public trust.
(With reports from Marianne Enriquez, News5)
(BR)
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