House Adopts Charges Against Vice President Sara Duterte
On the night of June 10, the House of Representatives approved recommendations to file serious charges against Vice President Sara Duterte and several others. These charges include plunder, technical malversation, and bribery, all linked to the alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds under Duterte’s office.
The 300-plus members of the House agreed to the findings contained in Committee Report No. 1503, which was prepared by the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability. The committee, chaired by Manila 3rd district Representative Joel Chua, led the investigation during the 19th Congress.
Committee Report Reveals Alleged Fund Misuse
The probe focused on confidential funds allocated to the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd), both overseen by Duterte during the period under review. The committee’s report detailed how at least P612.5 million was allegedly misused, with at least P50 million suspected to have been amassed unlawfully.
Deputy Speaker Roberto Puno from Antipolo’s 1st district declared the report adopted after a straightforward voice vote. Later, local sources obtained a copy of the report, which includes the committee’s full findings and recommendations.
Plunder and Other Charges Recommended
The report recommends filing plunder charges under Republic Act No. 7080 against Vice President Duterte, key DepEd officials, and OVP officers. The list of accused includes Mr. and Atty. Fajarda, Maj. Gen. Mempin, Lt. Col. Nolasco, Col. Lachica, Usec. Sevilla, Atty. Lopez, Mr. Ortonio, Ms. Acosta, and unnamed John Does. The committee cited the established “wheel of conspiracy” similar to the precedent set in Arroyo v. People (2016).
Additionally, the panel seeks to file technical malversation charges under Article 220 of the Revised Penal Code. This targets Duterte and certain Special Disbursing Officers for allegedly using confidential funds for purposes other than those allowed by law.
Allegations of Bribery and Perjury
Another serious allegation uncovered is the distribution of “cash envelopes” to DepEd officials by Vice President Duterte during her term as secretary from 2022 to 2024. For this, the committee recommends filing bribery charges under Articles 210 and 211 of the Revised Penal Code.
The panel also urges charges of perjury against Duterte and Ms. Acosta. This is related to notarized certifications claiming the funds were used for legitimate confidential activities, a statement now disputed by the investigation.
Calls for Stricter Penalties and Audit
In response to these findings, the committee also recommends imposing stricter penalties for the misuse and misappropriation of confidential funds. Furthermore, they request a thorough fraud audit by the Commission on Audit (COA) focused on the confidential funds of the OVP and DepEd.
The House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability concluded its investigation just days before the report’s adoption, signaling a swift move toward holding officials accountable.
For more news and updates on Vice President Sara Duterte, visit Filipinokami.com.