PLUNDER and graft complaints were filed Friday against Vice President Sara Duterte and 15 officials from the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) over the alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds.
Former Finance Undersecretary Cielo Magno, Ramon Magsaysay awardee Fr. Flavie Villanueva, and Fr. Robert Reyes filed the complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman.
They accused Duterte of plunder, graft, malversation, and related offenses covering 2022 to 2023.
The complainants said Duterte has repeatedly refused to explain how the funds were spent despite congressional inquiries, calling this a betrayal of public trust.
They alleged that the OVP and DepEd carried out “parallel schemes” to divert and conceal the funds through irregular transactions, unsupported vouchers, and certifications signed without review.
They also claimed that cash advances were handed to unauthorized AFP officers and liquidated using fabricated receipts under fictitious names such as “Mary Grace Piattos,” “Nova,” and “Oishi.”
Duterte’s alleged misuse of funds is also central to an impeachment complaint against her, which the Supreme Court voided for violating the one-year bar rule. The House of Representatives has since sought a reversal of the ruling. Magno said the Ombudsman case is another avenue to ensure accountability.
