Ombudsman to Sara: Answer misuse rap over confi funds; House complaint cites plunder, falsification, betrayal of public trust

DUTERTE-CARPIO
DUTERTE-CARPIO

MANILA — Vice President Sara Duterte and nine other officials from the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Office of the Vice President (OVP) have been formally directed by the Office of the Ombudsman to respond to a series of serious allegations involving the supposed misuse of over P612 million in confidential funds.

In an order released late Thursday, June 19, the Ombudsman gave Duterte and her co-respondents 10 days upon receipt of the directive to file their counter-affidavits, including the affidavits of their witnesses and supporting documents.

“Failure to file counter-affidavit within the aforesaid period shall be deemed as a waiver of respondents’ right to submit controverting evidence, and the preliminary investigation shall proceed accordingly,” the Ombudsman warned.

It also emphasized that it will not entertain motions to dismiss or motions for a bill of particulars.

The directive comes in response to a formal complaint filed by the House of Representatives, which accused the Vice President and the others of plunder, technical malversation, falsification of public documents, use of falsified documents, perjury, bribery, corruption of public officers, betrayal of public trust, and culpable violation of the Constitution.

The complaint stemmed from a recommendation of the House Committee on Good Governance and Public Accountability, which alleged that Duterte-Carpio misused P500 million in confidential funds under the OVP and P112.5 million under the DepEd from 2022 to 2024.

Among the DepEd officials named in the complaint were Edward Fajarda and Gina Acosta, both special disbursing officers; Atty. Sunshine Charry Fajarda, assistant secretary and director for Strategic Management Office; retired Maj. Gen. Nolasco Mempin, undersecretary for administration; and Annalyn Sevilla, undersecretary for Finance Service.

From the OVP, those named were Atty. Zuleika Lopez, undersecretary and chief of staff; Lemuel Ortonio, assistant secretary and assistant chief of staff; Lt. Col. Dennis Nolasco and Col. Raymund Dante Lachia of the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group.

The alleged misuse of confidential funds is also one of the main issues raised in the House’s impeachment complaint against Duterte-Carpio, which has been transmitted to the Senate.

As of press time, the Vice President has not released a statement. She is reportedly on a personal trip to Australia./PN

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