Manila 3rd district Rep. Joel Chua can't help but highlight the Office of the Ombudsman’s dramatic shift in tone when it comes to cases involving Vice President Sara Duterte.

This notwithstanding, Chua, who is part of the House prosecution panel in Duterte's upcoming Senate impeachment trial, thanked Ombudsman Samuel Martires for his office's “strong affirmation of the weight and integrity” of the findings submitted by the House of Representatives.

“Just a few months ago, Ombudsman Martires publicly stated that he saw no grounds to investigate the Vice President. That he now believes otherwise shows that the facts uncovered by our committee could no longer be ignored,” the solon said.

“It is both unusual and significant that the Ombudsman proceeded directly to preliminary investigation and issued subpoenas to the respondents —skipping the usual fact-finding phase – all within the same week that we furnished them with a copy of the committee report, Chua said.

Martires is an appointee of former president Rodrigo Duterte, father of the Vice President.

The Manila lawmaker chairs the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, which for months investigated Vice President Duterte's alleged misuse of P612.5 million worth of confidential funds. It ultimately recommended the filing of plunder and malversation charges against the controversial lady official.

The Chua panel's findings were reflected on the articles of impeachment that the House sent to the Senate way back on Feb. 5.

Referring to the Ombudsman’s action, Chua said: This kind of swift response sends a clear signal: the Ombudsman has found prima facie evidence to warrant a preliminary investigation on the basis of the committee report.

Chua said that the House, through his committee, intends to actively participate in the investigation.

“Since the Ombudsman has effectively treated our committee report as the initiating complaint, we are prepared to fulfill our role as the complainant and ensure the process is based on truth, fairness, and accountability.”

He further confirmed that the committee will formally request time to file replies to counter-affidavits if and when these are submitted by respondents. This will provide them with the opportunity to submit the full transcripts and other evidentiary documents mentioned in the committee report.

“The Ombudsman will need to see the evidence supporting the Committee Report. We want to make sure this is not just a speedy process—but a credible one,” Chua stressed.

“We will cooperate fully to ensure that all parties are given fair and reasonable opportunity to present their side, as we likewise present the truth uncovered through months of legislative inquiry,” he said.