MANILA — Civil society coalition Tindig Pilipinas and the Akbayan Citizen’s Party on Oct. 20 called on Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla to investigate Vice President Sara Duterte regarding her use of confidential funds and other issues during her tenure at the Office of the Vice President and as concurrent Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd).

Tindig Pilipinas convenors Kiko Aquino Dee, Dr. Sylvia Estrada Claudio, Teresita Quintos Deles, and human rights lawyer Atty. Dino de Leon, together with Akbayan Party President Rafaela David and Akbayan Youth Chairperson Justine Balane, led their members in filing a letter at the Office of the Ombudsman in Quezon City, urging a thorough investigation of Duterte.

They emphasized, “…just as we demand accountability from those involved in the ghost flood control projects that plundered the nation’s coffers, the Vice President must also fully explain how the confidential funds under the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education were used.”

Parts of their two-page letter dated Oct. 20 read:

“Your appointment to the Office of the Ombudsman comes at the heels of the darkest era of that venerable institution. With cautious optimism, we hope that your good office will once again be a true protector of the people as mandated by the 1987 Constitution. The Constitution vests in your Office the solemn mandate to act as the people’s safeguard against abuse in public office, especially by those who occupy the highest positions of power…

It is in this capacity that we, convenors of Tindig Pilipinas and citizen-complainants in the impeachment of Vice President Sara Zimmerman Duterte, respectfully urge you to urgently investigate the grave allegations that form the basis of the impeachment complaint against the Vice President.”

The letter cited the following articles of impeachment:

“1. Respondent betrayed the public trust, committed culpable violations of the Constitution, and/or committed high crimes in contracting an assassin and plotting to murder or assassinate the incumbent President, the First Lady, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, as publicly admitted by her in a live broadcast.

2. Respondent betrayed the public trust and/or committed graft and corruption in her misuse and malversation of confidential funds appropriated to the Office of the Vice President (“OVP”) and the Department of Education (“DepEd”).
3. Respondent betrayed the public trust and/or committed bribery and/or other acts of graft and corruption in violation of Republic Act No. 3019.
4. Respondent committed culpable violations of the Constitution and/or betrayal of public trust in amassing unexplained wealth and failing to disclose all her properties and interests in properties in her Statement of Assets and Net Worth (SALN), in violation of Section 17, Article XI of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.
5. Respondent committed other high crimes, including the high crime of murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
6. Respondent, by herself and/or in concert with others, committed acts of destabilization constituting, at least, a betrayal of public trust and/or culpable violations of the Constitution, and even the high crimes of sedition and insurrection.
7. The totality of respondent’s conduct as Vice President, including her commission of the foregoing acts, clearly displays conduct constituting a betrayal of public trust, culpable violations of the 1987 Constitution, and graft and corruption.”

The groups stated that the Office of the Ombudsman “must make a firm stand against this display of impunity by a person who already has a track record of abuse of power,” citing Duterte’s previous assault on a court sheriff enforcing a court order, for which she faced no accountability.

“We refuse to be silent. We cannot allow a culture of impunity to take root, where actions that threaten our democratic stability and public accountability are simply forgotten, or worse, seen as a new, acceptable standard for our leaders…

We strongly implore you to initiate a comprehensive and impartial investigation into these grave matters, not only to uphold the rule of law, but to begin the vital work of restoring public trust,” the letter further stated.

Duterte was impeached by the House of Representatives in February 2025, with 215 of 306 lawmakers signing and verifying the complaint before it was transmitted to the Senate for trial. However, the Supreme Court struck down the impeachment complaint in July, ruling it unconstitutional for violating the one-year ban on filing successive impeachment cases.

“Tindig Pilipinas will remain persistent in its call for truth, accountability, and transparency. We cannot allow impunity to take deeper root or let threats to our democracy go unanswered,” said Dee.

Akbayan’s David said the move is necessary to prevent another powerful official from evading scrutiny. “Susubukan pa tayong paikutin. Sa korte na dapat siya magpaliwanag para malaman na sino talaga si Mary Grace Piattos at saan napunta ang pera ng mamamayan.”

“The people will not be fooled. The confidential and intelligence funds served as VP Sara Duterte’s personal pork and she cannot run free from accountability,” she pointed out.

“Sara Duterte cannot ride on the people’s anger against the government’s ineptitude and corruption. We must not let her hijack our call for accountability for her political gain. Galit tayo sa lahat ng mga kurakot, at kasama siya sa gusto natin ipakulong,” David concluded.

📷 Tindig Pilipinas