Vice President Sara Duterte rejected the criminal complaints lodged against her and several former and current government officials, describing the move as a deliberate attempt to manufacture accusations rather than uncover wrongdoing.
In a statement released on social media Saturday, Duterte argued that the cases were part of a broader effort to legitimize an investigation through what she characterized as contrived allegations. “Another fishing expedition is now being launched, as they scramble to weaponize any accusation they can manufacture just to create a semblance of procedural legitimacy for an investigation,” she said.
The complaints, filed Friday before the Office of the Ombudsman, accuse Duterte and 15 officials from the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) of plunder and graft linked to the alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds. Additional accusations include malversation and other related offenses covering the period from 2022 to 2023.
According to the complainants, the Vice President failed to provide sufficient explanations on how the confidential funds were spent, despite multiple congressional hearings on the issue.
Duterte, however, framed the filing of charges as a continuation of earlier political attacks. “Mga kababayan (Countrymen), Last year, the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability launched a full-blown fishing expedition, searching for anything that could be twisted into grounds for impeachment,” she said. She further claimed that efforts to gather impeachment signatures were allegedly tied to promises of budget allocations. “Then came the revelation that signatures for my impeachment were being courted in exchange for budget allocations. Several lawmakers themselves recently confirmed how the constitutional process was being cheapened and reduced to a marketplace,” she added.
She urged the public to be cautious and critical of the accusations, saying, “Hinihikayat ko ang ating mga kababayan na maging mapanuri at huwag basta magpapadala sa mga paninira. Hindi ito tungkol sa paghahanap ng katotohanan — ito ay tungkol sa pagtakip ng nakawan sa kaban ng bayan na hanggang ngayon ay walang nananagot.”
Duterte also appealed for resilience amid broader national concerns, stating, “Patuloy lamang tayong maging matatag sa harap ng pagbagsak ng ekonomiya at walang tigil na pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin. Patuloy tayong magdasal para sa kapayapaan.” She assured the public of continued service from her office, saying, “Rest assured that the Office of the Vice President will continue to deliver efficient, accessible, and responsive public service for the good of all Filipinos. Shukran (Thank you).”
Among those who filed the complaints were former Finance undersecretary Cielo Magno, 2025 Ramon Magsaysay awardee Father Flavie Villanueva, and Father Robert Reyes.
Named as respondents alongside Duterte were OVP Chief of Staff Zuleika Lopez; Assistant Chief of Staff Lemuel Ortonio; Administrative and Financial Services Office Director Rosalynne Sanchez; Chief Accountant Julieta Villadelrey; Special Disbursing Officer Gina Acosta; former Armed Forces of the Philippines Security and Protection Group commander Colonel Raymund Dante Lachica; former DepEd spokesperson Michael Poa; Strategy Management Office Director Sunshine Fajarda; former Education undersecretaries Annalyn Sevilla and Gloria Mercado; DepEd Chief Accountant Ma. Rhunna Catalan; Special Disbursement Officer Edward Fajarda; retired Major General Nolasco Mempin; and Lieutenant Colonel Dennis Nolasco.
Malacañang said on Friday that the complaints against the Vice President should undergo proper investigation.
