Vice President Sara Duterte has officially responded to accusations involving the alleged misuse of confidential funds under her leadership at the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd).
Duterte’s counter-affidavit was filed Friday before the Office of the Ombudsman through her legal representatives, Michael Poa and Paul Lim.
The filing comes after the Ombudsman directed Duterte and nine other officials to answer the complaints lodged by the House of Representatives, which claims that public funds were misused under various violations. The respondents were given 10 days to comply with the directive issued last June 20.
Earlier this month, the House adopted a committee report recommending serious charges against Duterte and her co-respondents. These include technical malversation, falsification of documents, perjury, bribery, corruption, plunder, and violations of the Constitution.
This development unfolds as Duterte also prepares to defend herself in an impeachment trial before the Senate, where she faces allegations of betrayal of public trust, constitutional violations, and other high crimes.
