Ombudsman Initiates Probe on Sara Duterte
MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman’s decision to begin a preliminary investigation on the alleged misuse of confidential funds by Vice President Sara Duterte signals a strong affirmation of the House of Representatives’ findings, a lawmaker said Sunday. This swift action by the Ombudsman highlights the seriousness of the allegations and the integrity of the committee’s report.
Last week, the Ombudsman ordered Sara Duterte and other officials to respond to complaints brought forward by the lower house. The vice president’s office confirmed receiving the order on June 20. This rapid move to start the investigation underscores the gravity of the situation and the weight of the House’s findings.
House Lawmaker Praises Ombudsman’s Swift Action
“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 we furnished them a copy of the Committee Report,” said Manila Rep. Joel Chua in a statement. He sees this as a clear signal that the Ombudsman found prima facie evidence warranting a formal inquiry based on the committee’s recommendations.
Chua, who heads the House committee on good government and public accountability, led the probe into the budget and fund usage of the Office of the Vice President (OVP). He emphasized that no formal complaint was filed initially; instead, the committee’s report was directly submitted to the Ombudsman, as confirmed by House officials.
Committee Report Spurs Ombudsman Action
“The Ombudsman acted purely on the strength of our Committee Report. We have not even submitted the supporting evidence yet. That alone speaks volumes,” Chua remarked. He also noted a shift in the Ombudsman’s stance, given that Chief Samuel Martires previously stated he saw no grounds to investigate the vice president. This change likely reflects the undeniable facts uncovered by the committee.
“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,” Chua added. He stressed the importance of a credible investigation, not just a swift one, assuring full cooperation to allow all parties a fair chance to present their side.
Commitment to Accountability and Fairness
“Ultimately, this is about accountability. We are not rushing to judgment, but we owe the Filipino people a full and impartial investigation — and we are committed to seeing it through,” Chua concluded. The ongoing probe marks a significant step in ensuring transparency and responsibility within the government.
For more news and updates on the Office of the Ombudsman’s preliminary investigation, visit Filipinokami.com.