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Aside from filing cases, the House also recommends improving rules on the reporting and auditing of confidential funds, and tightening rules on secret fund use
MANILA, Philippines – The House of Representatives adopted on Tuesday, June 10, a committee report recommending the filing of criminal, civil, and administrative cases versus Vice President Sara Duterte.
Congressman Joel Chua, chairperson of the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, presented committee findings before the House plenary on Tuesday, June 10. The panel led the investigations on the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) alleged misuse of confidential funds, in 8 public hearings from September to December 2024.
The committee just ended its inquiry last week, June 4.
During the hearings, it was found that a total of P612.5 million confidential funds were disbursed under Duterte’s leadership of both the OVP and DepEd.
“This is the only and first Vice President to request excessive amount of confidential funds in comparison with the past vice presidents,” Chua said during the plenary session.
Duterte — along with OVP and DepEd officials involved — may be charged with technical malversation, falsification, use of falsified documents, perjury, bribery, corruption of public officers, and betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the Constitution.
The following may also be charged for plunder:
- Vice President Sara Duterte
- Edward Fajarda
- Sunshine Charry Fajarda
- Ret. Maj. General Nolasco Mempin
- Lt. Col. Dennis Nolasco
- Col. Raymund Dante Lachica
- Annalyn Sevilla
- Lemuel Ortonio
- Gina Acosta
- Zuleika Lopez
Chua said they were able to establish that confidential funds were misused with the questionable and fabricated acknowledgement receipts found in the OVP and DepEd documents.
There were also instances of interference and bribery during the investigation. For instance, Zuleika Lopez, OVP chief of staff, tried to interfere and keep the Commission on Audit from sending documents to Congress during budget deliberations. (READ: Sara Duterte’s messy exchanges with lawmakers over her budget)
Meanwhile, the committee report noted that there was an obstruction of inquiry after officials from both the OVP and DepEd denied knowing how the funds were used as these were delegated to security officers. Duterte herself refused to detail where these funds ended up, claiming these financed “intelligence operations” despite the OVP not having a national security mandate.
Chua noted that the funds were used for operations beyond confidential expenses, such as for the payment of rewards, medical and food aid, among others.
Aside from filing cases, the House also recommended improving rules on the reporting and auditing of confidential funds, and tightening rules on secret fund use.
The development comes just as the Senate finally convened the impeachment court on Tuesday evening for Duterte’s trial. – Rappler.com
