OMB: Basis of charges vs VP, others is House report

Ombudsman Samuel R. Martires on Saturday, June 21, said his office considered as a complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte and nine other officials the copy of the committee report of the House of Representatives that was sent to the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB).

- By CZARINA NICOLE ONG-KI and ELLSON QUISMORIO

In a radio interview, Martires debunked the statement issued by House spokesperson Princess Abante that the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability did not file a criminal and administrative complaint against Duterte and the nine other officials.

On the basis of the copy of House Committee Report No. 1503 dated June 10, 2025, the OMB asked Vice President 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.

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 are 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.