VP Sara Duterte, 15 others face plunder and other criminal charges
Reggie Desuyo December 13, 2025 at 12:18 AM
MANILA — Vice President Sara Duterte and 15 other individuals were charged with multiple criminal offenses, including plunder, malversation, and graft, at the Office of the Ombudsman on Friday, December 12.
The complaints were filed by a coalition of priests, academics, human rights advocates, and journalists. Among the complainants are activist-priests Flavie Villanueva and Roberto Reyes, former Finance Undersecretary Cielo Magno, and former Peace Adviser Teresita Deles, among others.

They alleged that Duterte and her co-respondents—officials from the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) during her tenure as Education Secretary from 2022 to June 2024—“diverted, misused, and concealed through coordinated schemes” a total of P612.5 million in confidential funds.
In addition to plunder, the complaint includes the following allegations against the Vice President and her officials from the OVP and DepEd:
- Violation of Section 3(a) and (e) of Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act;
- Malversation under Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC);
- Bribery and/or corruption of public officials under Articles 210 and 212 of the RPC;
- Betrayal of public trust under Article XI, Section 2 of the 1987 Constitution; and
- Culpable violation of the 1987 Constitution.
“She [VP Duterte] at least be called to account… on hundreds of millions of pesos of confidential funds that she plundered. And if she fails to do so, she should no less than be found criminally liable for it,” Fr. Villanueva said in an interview with the media after filing the complaint.
Aside from Duterte, the following individuals are named as respondents in the complaint:
- Zuleika T. Lopez
- Lemuel G. Ortonio
- Rosalynne L. Sanchez
- Julieta L. Villadelrey
- Gina F. Acosta
- Col. Raymund Dante P. Lachica
- Michael Wesley T. Poa
- Sunshine Charry A. Fajarda
- Undersecretary Annalyn M. Sevilla
- Gloria Mercado
- Ma. Rhunna L. Catalan
- Edward D. Fajarda
- Ret. Maj. Gen. Nolasco A. Mempin
- Lt. Col. Dennis Nolasco
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