VP Sara slams another 'fishing expedition'

Vice President Sara Duterte urged Filipinos to be discerning amid what she calls another fishing expedition in attempts to cover up the rampant corruption in government.

- RAYMUND ANTONIO

"I urge my countrymen to be vigilant and don’t be swayed by propaganda," she said in a statement in Filipino sent by the Office of the Vice President (OVP) on Saturday, Dec. 13.

"This is not about seeking the truth — this is about covering up the corruption in government where no one has been held accountable until now."

"Another fishing expedition is now being launched, as they scramble to weaponize any accusation they can manufacture just to create a semblance of procedural legitimacy for an investigation," Vice President Duterte said.

While she has not mentioned specifics, multiple criminal complaints-including plunder, bribery, malversation, and graft-were filed against her and 15 others before the Office of the Ombudsman on Friday, Dec. 12.

The complaints were lodged by civil society leaders over the alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds.

Vice President Duterte recalled how the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability had launched what she described as a "full-blown fishing expedition" to impeach her.