Leaders of the House of Representatives rejected Vice President Sara Duterte’s latest allegations of corruption within their ranks, calling her claims a deflection tactic amid scrutiny over her use of confidential funds.
The backlash came after Duterte linked Speaker Martin Romualdez and the House leadership to supposed irregularities in the proposed 2025 national budget. Responding to questions about Romualdez’s rumored ouster, Duterte accused the House of being at the center of a corruption-laced spending plan.
Deputy Speaker David “Jayjay” Suarez, an administration ally, branded Duterte’s remarks as “entirely baseless,” especially coming from someone already facing impeachment over alleged misuse of funds.
“The real issue here is the confidential funds spent in just 11 days, with recipients that appear to be fictional,” Suarez said, pointing to names like “Mary Grace Piattos” and “Jay Kamote” that lawmakers argue resemble made-up characters or common snacks.
Deputy Majority Leader Paolo Ortega V echoed the sentiment, stressing that the Commission on Audit itself flagged Duterte’s use of over P600 million in confidential and intelligence funds due to missing documents and questionable disbursements.
Duterte, who headed both the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) at the time of the fund release, has denied any wrongdoing and claimed the allegations are part of a “coordinated political attack” to block her 2028 presidential bid.
Aside from the confidential fund issue, the House also accused Duterte of plotting to assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Speaker Romualdez—one of seven articles of impeachment filed against her, supported by 215 lawmakers.
Duterte is set to face trial at the Senate impeachment court when Congress resumes session in late July. A two-thirds vote, or at least 16 senators, will be required to secure a conviction, which would bar her from holding public office permanently.
