Vice President Sara Duterte faces plunder and graft charges filed by a coalition of civil society groups accusing her and 15 officials of misappropriating over ₱612 million in confidential funds during her tenure at the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and Department of Education (DepEd). The complaints, lodged on December 12, 2025, cite a series of alleged financial irregularities spanning from 2022 to mid-2024, fueling allegations of systematic misuse and betrayal of public trust.
Criminal Complaints Detail Systematic Misuse of Public Funds
The charges accuse Duterte and her co-respondents of multiple offenses, including plunder, bribery, malversation, and graft, centered on the alleged mismanagement of ₱612.5 million in confidential funds allotted to the OVP and DepEd. Specifically, the civil society groups contend that ₱500 million allocated for the OVP from 2022 to 2023 and ₱112.5 million during Duterte’s leadership at the DepEd were diverted through irregular channels.
Key allegations focus on:
- Lack of supporting documentation: Disbursement vouchers accompanied by certifications signed without proper scrutiny.
- Forbidden transfers: Cash advances allegedly routed to unauthorized Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) officers appointed by Duterte.
- Sworn testimonies: Former Undersecretary Gloria Mercado and Chief Accountant Ma. Rhunna L. Catalan claim to have regularly received cash envelopes of up to ₱50,000 from Sunshine Charry A. Fajarda, an OVP official.
- Fabrication and concealment: Forged receipts and unaccounted expenses form the basis for malversation allegations.
The complainants underscore these actions as clear violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, constitutional provisions, and the principle of public trust, marking them as impeachable offenses.
Complainants Demand Thorough Investigation
The affidavits and reports fueling the complaints come from a diverse coalition of eight individuals, including priests Father Flaviano Villanueva and Father Roberto Reyes; economist and former Finance Undersecretary Cielo Magno; alongside academics, journalists, and human rights advocates. Villanueva condemned Duterte’s conduct as “reckless misuse” and described it as “outright criminal,” emphasizing the urgent need for accountability.
Additionally, legislative scrutiny uncovered rapid expenditure patterns, such as the ₱125 million confidential OVP funds reportedly spent within 11 days in 2022, as confirmed by Representative Stella Kimbo in September 2024. The groups have collectively called on the Office of the Ombudsman to actively investigate the allegations.
Respondents Include Duterte and Senior OVP, DepEd Officials
Alongside Vice President Duterte, 15 other individuals primarily connected to the OVP and DepEd hold respondent status. These include high-ranking officials such as:
- Zuleika T. Lopez, OVP Chief of Staff
- Lemuel G. Ortonio
- Rosalynne L. Sanchez
- Julieta L. Villadelrey
- Col. Raymund P. Bachicha
- Sunshine Charry A. Fajarda
- Undersecretary Annalyn M. Sevilla
- Others spanning military and administrative roles
The wide range of involved personnel suggests a coordinated effort across departments to execute and conceal the alleged fund misuse.
Duterte Dismisses Charges as Politically Motivated “Fishing Expedition”
In a statement released on December 13, 2025, Vice President Duterte categorically denied the accusations, branding the complaints as another “fishing expedition” designed to manufacture impeachment grounds against her. She referenced prior Congressional hearings on public accountability, highlighting their discovery of suspicious recipients such as an enigmatic “Mary Piatt” — a name she claimed blended a restaurant and snack brand, symbolizing the absurdity of the allegations.
Duterte further asserted that detractors had commodified impeachment signatures in exchange for budget allocations, thus cheapening the process and turning it into a political weapon. She urged Filipinos to see the complaint as a smokescreen, saying: This is not about pursuing truth — this is about concealing the theft from the nation’s treasury, for which no one has yet been held responsible.
Malacañang Denies Political Links to Complainants
Malacañang Palace promptly rejected any suggestion that the complainants were politically motivated actors or proxies for opposition forces. The administration emphasized that the grievances were initiated independently by civil society groups, underscoring a nonpartisan demand for transparency and justice.
Confidential Funds Controversy Revives National Debate
This case reopens long-standing debates over the management and oversight of confidential funds within Philippine government offices. Prior congressional probes and impeachment attempts against Duterte have already highlighted discrepancies in OVP and DepEd spending. Yet, no definitive legal outcomes have emerged from these earlier investigations.
The current complaints place renewed pressure on the Office of the Ombudsman to conduct a thorough review based on submitted affidavits, documentary evidence, and audit trails. Analysts note that the allegations, while serious and supported by sworn statements, remain unproven until judicial processes run their course.
Outlook: Awaiting Ombudsman Review
As the case awaits further action, Duterte’s camp remains silent on initial inquiries, maintaining their innocence and political framing of the issue. The coalition of complainants, meanwhile, continues to push for accountability within the constitutional framework, emphasizing that safeguarding public funds is critical for maintaining citizen trust in public institutions.
In this unfolding financial controversy, the unfolding legal scrutiny may prove a pivotal moment for the Duterte administration’s approach to governance and transparency, with implications reaching beyond the immediate parties involved.
