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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Ombudsman Martires: 'Basis of charges vs VP Duterte, 9 other officials is House Committee Report; probe to proceed'

Ombudsman Martires: 'Basis of charges vs VP Duterte, 9 other officials is House Committee Report; probe to proceed'

Published Jun 21, 2025 03:32 pm
Ombudsman Samuel R. Martires on Saturday, June 21, said his office considered as a complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte and nine other officials the copy of the committee report of the House of Representatives that was sent to the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB).
In a radio interview, Martires debunked the statement issued by House Spokesperson Princess Abante that the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability did not file a criminal and administrative complaint against Duterte and the nine other officials.
On the basis of the copy of House Committee Report No. 1503 dated June 10, 2025, the OMB asked Vice President Sara Duterte and nine other officials from the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) to answer the criminal complaints filed against them on the alleged misuse of confidential funds.
Aside from Duterte, ordered to answer the charges were DepEd Special Disbursing Officers Edward D. Fajarda and Gina F. Acosta, Director for Strategic Management Office and Assistant Secretary Atty. Sunshine Charry A. Fajarda, Undersecretary for Administration Ret. Maj. Gen. Nolasco A. Mempin, and Undersecretary for Finance Service Analyn M. Sevilla. For the OVP, those named are Undersecretary and Chief of Staff Atty. Zuleika Lopez, Assistant Secretary and Assistant Chief of Staff Lemuel Ortonio, and Lt. Col. Dennis Nolasco and Col. Raymund Dante P. Lachica of the Vice President Security and Protection Group.
They were accused of technical malversation, falsification and use of falsified documents, perjury, bribery, corruption of public officers, plunder, betrayal of public trust, and culpable violation of the Constitution in the Committee Report No. 1503.
They were asked to file their counter-affidavits within 10 days from receipt of the order issued by the OMB.
Martires said House Spokesperson Abante might just be confused after she said that they did not file any criminal and administrative complaint against Vice President Duterte before his office.
He scoffed at the claim of Abante that they only provided the Ombudsman with “recommendations” from its inquiry on the budget of Duterte, especially concerning the use of confidential funds.
He said the OMB was actually endorsed a copy of the committee report which was submitted by the House Secretary General himself.
In the letter of endorsement, Martires that the report of Rep. Joel Chua was adopted by the House of Representatives.
“Eh bakit ba nila kami fu-furnish ng kopya ng result ng kanilang investigation? (Why would they furnish us a copy of the investigation?)” he asked. If we do not act on the report, then it would otherwise be used as “scratch paper,” he said.
“Siguro naguguluhan lang sila o naguguluhan lang yung spokesperson, (Maybe they are confused or the spokesperson was confused),” he stressed.
Martires explained that in the OMB’s order for VP Duterte and the other respondents the House of Representatives Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, represented by its chairperson, Representative Joel Chua, was denominated as complainant.
He said the OMB will proceed with its investigation.
In its order to file counter-affidavits, the OMB said: “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.”
Thereafter, this case shall be deemed submitted for resolution on the basis of the evidence presented by the parties, whose presence may be dispensed with, unless otherwise required for classificatory questioning, it added.
It also said that no motion to dismiss or to ask for bill of particulars will be entertained.
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