Ombudsman Probes VP Sara's Confidential Funds

The Office of the Ombudsman has started its preliminary investigation on the alleged confidential funds misuse of Vice President Sara Duterte and her subordinates.

- ELIZABETH MARCELO

In an order issued on Thursday, the ombudsman directed Duterte and nine other officials of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and Department of Education (DepEd) to file, within 10 days from receipt of order, their respective counter-affidavits on the committee report transmitted by the House committee on good government and public accountability.

"Failure to file counter-affidavit within the aforesaid period shall be deemed as waiver of respondents' right to submit controverting evidence and the preliminary investigation shall proceed accordingly," the ombudsman's order read.

"Thereafter, this case shall be deemed submitted for resolution on the basis of the evidence presented by the parties, whose presence may be dispensed with, unless otherwise required for clarificatory questioning. No motion to dismiss or bill of particulars shall be entertained," it added.