Ombudsman starts probe on VP Sara’s confidential spending

National

ONCE marked “confidential,” the funds linked to Vice President Sara Duterte are now the subject of a very public investigation, as the Office of the Ombudsman begins a preliminary probe into the alleged misuse of public funds during her concurrent service at the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd).

In a formal order released Thursday, June 19, the Ombudsman directed Duterte and nine officials from the OVP and DepEd to submit their counter-affidavits within ten days of receiving the notice. The probe is based on Committee Report No. 1503, which followed a series of hearings by the House committee on good government and public accountability.

The order, signed by Assistant Ombudsman Nellie Boguen-Golez, chair of a special panel of investigators, stated that failure to submit counter-affidavits within the deadline would be treated as a waiver of the right to present contrary evidence. The case would then proceed based on existing submissions, without the need for further hearings unless clarifications are required.

The Ombudsman also ruled out the acceptance of motions to dismiss or requests for a bill of particulars. Once all evidence is in—or the deadline lapses—the case will be deemed ready for resolution.

Although the House committee did not file a formal complaint, it was designated by the Ombudsman as the nominal complainant in the investigation. Manila Rep. Joel Chua, who represents the committee, was named in the order.

The Vice President is facing allegations of misusing P500 million in confidential funds under the OVP and an additional P112.5 million under the DepEd, covering the period from 2022 to 2024. She served as education secretary from July 2022 until stepping down in July 2024.

Also named in the order from DepEd are special disbursing officers Edward Fajarda and Gina Acosta; Assistant Secretary for Strategic Management Sunshine Charry Fajarda; Undersecretary for Administration retired Maj. Gen. Nolasco Mempin; and Undersecretary for Finance Service Annalyn Sevilla.

From the OVP, the officials include Undersecretary and Chief of Staff Zuleika Lopez; Assistant Secretary and Assistant Chief of Staff Lemuel Ortonio; Lt. Col. Dennis Nolasco; and Col. Raymund Dante Lachia of the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group.

The OVP confirmed receipt of the Ombudsman’s order but declined to provide additional comment as of press time.

House spokesperson Princess Abante clarified that while the House adopted the committee’s report recommending charges, it did not initiate the complaint. “The House did not file the complaint. The focus of the House is the impeachment trial,” she said in a Philstar report.

She added that the Ombudsman appears to be acting independently, using the adopted report as the basis for its investigation.(MyTVCebu)