Ombudsman rap vs VP Sara can boost her impeachment

The Ombudsman can investigate — but not prosecute - the P612-million plunder and malversation complaints against VP Sara Duterte.

- JARIUS BONDOC

The ombudsman can indict her 14 coaccused soonest. The Sandiganbayan can try them without VP Sara.

Plunder and malversation are nonbailable crimes and fetch life terms. VP Sara and the 14 were also charged with bribery, graft and corruption on Dec. 12, 2025.

VP Sara can only be removed by impeachment. Any ombudsman investigation can buttress evidence in case she is impeached anew and tried after Feb. 5, 2026.

If convicted by impeachment, VP Sara shall be removed and forever barred from public office. Only then may she be criminally tried in court.

The 1989 Ombudsman Act states:

“Section 21. Officials Subject to Disciplinary Authority; Exceptions. The Office of the Ombudsman shall have disciplinary authority over all elective and appointive officials of the Government and its subdivisions, instrumentalities and agencies, including members of the Cabinet, local government, government-owned or controlled corporations and their subsidiaries, except over officials who may be removed only by impeachment or over members of Congress, and the Judiciary.

“Section 22. Investigatory Power. The Office of the Ombudsman shall have the power to investigate any serious misconduct in office allegedly committed by officials removable by impeachment, for the purpose of filing a verified complaint for impeachment, if warranted.”