Politics · Philippines Bureau
Prosecutors allege pattern of confidential fund misuse against VP Duterte
House impeachment prosecutors presented evidence suggesting Vice President Sara Duterte mishandled confidential funds across multiple government positions spanning more than a decade. The allegations cover her tenure as Davao City mayor through her leadership of the Office of the Vice President and Department of Education.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA — The House prosecution team argued during Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial that testimony and documents revealed a consistent pattern of questionable confidential fund management across her various administrative roles.
Prosecutors contended that the alleged irregular handling of discretionary funds extended from Duterte's time leading Davao City's finances to her subsequent positions heading the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education. The prosecution suggested this pattern demonstrated systemic practices rather than isolated incidents.
The evidence presented included records and testimonies related to how confidential and discretionary funds were allocated, spent, and accounted for during each phase of Duterte's government service. Prosecutors maintained these practices deviated from established government procedures for managing sensitive expenditures.
The Vice President has denied wrongdoing in the handling of all government funds under her administration. Her legal team continues to contest the prosecution's characterization of the evidence presented in the ongoing impeachment proceedings.
The case centers on allegations of misuse of confidential funds, particularly during her tenure as DepEd secretary from 2022 to 2024, with prosecutors seeking to establish a broader pattern of similar conduct spanning her political career.