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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Paki-silip': Ridon asks Ombudsman to look into possibility malversation case vs VP Duterte

'Paki-silip': Ridon asks Ombudsman to look into possibility malversation case vs VP Duterte

Published Aug 26, 2026 02:58 pm

At A Glance

  • House prosecutor Terry Ridon asked the Ombudsman to investigate possible malversation involving Vice President Sara Duterte, Gina Acosta, and Raymund Dante Lachica over OVP confidential funds.
  • Ridon cited suspicious accomplishment reports showing repeated P125 million totals and highlighted a recurring P16 million safe house rental cost allegedly tied to exclusive subdivisions and luxury condominiums.
  • Hostile witness Acosta admitted turning over P500 million in confidential funds to Lachica upon Duterte's orders.
Vice President Sara Duterte (left), Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon (PPAB)
Vice President Sara Duterte (left), Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon (PPAB)


House prosecutor Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon has asked the Office of the Ombudsman to look into a possible malversation case against Senate impeachment trial respondent Vice President Sara Duterte and her close aides.
This, after the prosecution grilled on Tuesday, Aug. 25 Office of the Vice President (OVP) Assistant Chief-of-staff Lemuel Ortonio over accomplishment reports that repeatedly showed exact P125 million totals despite varying periods, areas, and line items.
Ridon highlighted one line item in particular: the P16 million for safe house rental and maintenance, which appeared across different quarters with different lengths.
“Panawagan na rin namin sa Ombudsman na silipin na po nila kung may actual na malversation na na-commit si Ms. [Gina] Acosta, si Mr. [Raymund Dante] Lachica, at si Vice President Sara Duterte dito sa paggamit po ng confidential funds,” Ridon said.
(We are also calling on the Ombudsman to look into whether Ms. Acosta, Mr. Lachica, and Vice President Sara Duterte actually committed malversation in the use of the confidential funds.)
“Malinaw na talaga, nilaro, pinera itong confidential funds na ito,” said the lawyer-solon.
(It is already clear that these confidential funds were manipulated and used for money-making.)
Alluding to the supposed safe house rental cost, the outspoken Ridon said: "Alam po ninyo yung pinag-uusapan na presyo ng safe houses po na ito—pag-upa ng bahay mula sa mga pinaka-exclusive subdivisions sa Pilipinas, katulad ng Forbes Park at Dasmariñas Village.”
(You know, what we are talking about here are the prices of these safe houses—renting homes from the most exclusive subdivisions in the Philippines, such as Forbes Park and Dasmariñas Village.)
“Yung pinakamahal na mga condominium sa loob ng Bonifacio Global City at ng Makati. So yun po yung level ng safe houses price na pinag-uusapan po natin dito,” he added.
(The most expensive condominiums inside Bonifacio Global City and Makati. So that is the level of safe house prices we are talking about here,)
The solon-prosecutor said he doubted that security agencies with their own confidential funds would shoulder the cost of such safe house.
“I’m quite certain, hindi po ganyan yung ibinibigay, binabayad na safe houses ng mga security sector po natin na may confidential funds,” Ridon said.
(I’m quite certain that this is not the way the safe houses paid for by our security sector using confidential funds are provided.)
Acosta and Lachica
Acosta is respondent Duterte’s former special disbursement officer (SDO) at the OVP, while Lachica is her former security chief.
During her time at the witness stand last Aug. 17 and 24, Acosta--presented as a hostile witness by the prosecution--admitted turning over P500 million in confidential funds to a non-bonded officer, Lachica, upon Duterte’s instructions.
“At hindi po natin yan palalagpasin. P16 million every quarter, different days,” Ridon said.
(And we will not let that pass. P16 million every quarter, on different days.)
Refusing to mince words, he added: "Tanga ka na lang kung maniniwala ka doon sa paliwanag na mag-aabot-abot yung ganoon pong presyo pagka mga araw po yung pinag-uusapan na magkakaiba."
(You’d have to be foolish to believe the explanation that amounts like that would add up when we’re talking about different days.)
“Hahabulin po namin yan hanggang pinakadulo (We will pursue this all the way to the end)," vowed the party-list lawmaker.

Related Tags

Malversation Ombudsman Sara Duterte Terry Ridon confidential funds impeachment Gina Acosta Raymund Dante Lachica
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