Ombudsman to seek House evidence on Duterte's alleged secret funds

MANILA — Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla announced plans to formally request evidence from the House prosecution panel handling the Senate impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte. The request pertains to allegations that the Vice President misappropriated P612 million in confidential funds during her tenure.

Remulla stated that the Office of the Ombudsman is presently assessing the evidence presented in connection with the alleged misuse of the confidential allocations. The move signals the Ombudsman's active involvement in scrutinizing the financial irregularities raised against Duterte.

The impeachment case centers on claims that the Vice President diverted substantial amounts from her office's confidential and intelligence funds for purposes outside their intended use. The P612 million figure has become a focal point in the ongoing proceedings, with lawmakers calling for transparency regarding how the funds were utilized.

The Ombudsman's decision to seek additional documentation from the House prosecution panel underscores the continued focus on investigating the alleged misappropriation. As the impeachment process advances in the Senate, multiple oversight bodies are examining the evidence to determine whether violations of public trust occurred.