Ombudsman to Sara Duterte: Respond to misuse of funds complaints

[Updated June 20, 2025, 5:21 p.m.]

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered Vice President Sara Duterte, as well as other officials, to respond to the complaints initiated by the House of Representatives over her alleged misuse of confidential funds.

The Office of the Vice President (OVP) confirmed to reporters that it received the order on Friday morning.

“The [OVP] confirms receipt of the order issued by the Office of the Ombudsman at approximately 9 a.m. today,” the OVP said.

Apart from Duterte, nine other officials from both the OVP and Department of Education (DepEd) were ordered to file their respective counter-affidavits.

All respondents were given 10 days from the receipt of the order to submit their affidavits.

Failure to submit their affidavits within the time limit will be deemed by the Ombudsman as a waiver of their right to submit counter-evidence, and the preliminary investigation will proceed without their input.

READ: House recommends perjury, corruption charges vs Sara Duterte

The House of Representatives earlier this month adopted a committee report which recommended the filing of the following charges against the vice president and other officials from her office over the alleged misuse of confidential funds.

• technical malversation
• falsification and use of falsified documents
• perjury
• bribery and corruption
• plunder, betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution

The order came while Duterte is set to face the Senate impeachment court amid accusations of betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the constitution, graft and corruption, and other high crimes. She is facing trial after being impeached by the House of Representatives way back Feb. 5. /gsg/mr