Ombudsman asks VP Duterte, 9 others to answer charges on 'misuse' of confidential funds

The Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) has asked Vice President Sara Duterte and nine other officials from the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) to answer the criminal complaints filed against them on the alleged misuse of confidential funds.

- By CZARINA NICOLE ONG KI

The order dated June 19, 2025 was issued by the OMB's special panel of investigators.

Aside from Duterte, ordered to answer the charges were DepEd Special Disbursing Officers Edward D. Fajarda and Gina F. Acosta, Director for Strategic Management Office and Assistant Secretary Atty. Sunshine Charry A. Fajarda, Undersecretary for Administration Ret. Maj. Gen. Nolasco A. Mempin, and Undersecretary for Finance Service Analyn M. Sevilla.

For the OVP, those named were Undersecretary and Chief of Staff Atty. Zuleika Lopez, Assistant Secretary and Assistant Chief of Staff Lemuel Ortonio, and Lt. Col. Dennis Nolasco and Col. Raymund Dante P. Lachica of the Vice President Security and Protection Group.