MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Sara Duterte may face five potential cases based on the findings of the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability’s investigation into the misuse of confidential funds of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd).

The recommended cases include plunder, technical malversation of funds, bribery and corruption of public officers, falsification of public documents, and perjury. House committee chairperson Rep. Joel Chua noted that these recommendations were made by individual members of the committee.

During the final hearing, Antipolo 2nd District Rep. Romeo Acop pointed out the questionable disbursement of confidential funds under the OVP and DepEd.

“Given the amount we are talking about here, this is clearly plunder,” Acop said.

Rep. Rodge Gutierrez of the 1-Rider Partylist added, “Throughout the course of seven hearings, we have brought detail to some long-held suspicions that the confidential funds of the OVP and DepEd had been abused, or malversed, or perhaps, even taken.”

Gutierrez stressed that both agencies violated core provisions of the Commission on Audit-Department of Budget and Management (COA-DBM) Joint Circular, which mandates clear accountability and documentation for every peso disbursed.

“Our task does not end here. It is now our duty to craft legislation that will protect the public coffers and ensure that they are not used and abused by public servants for their personal agenda,” Gutierrez said.

Meanwhile, Batangas 2nd District Rep. Jinky Luistro said, “Ang perang ito ay hindi kanya, ito ay pera ng taongbayan. Ngunit ng bawat piso ay ginamit sa maling paraan, na may layuning magkamal ng yaman.”

The committee highlighted evidence of systematic misuse of funds, citing bogus acknowledgment receipts, rapid fund disbursements, fabricated certifications, and unexplained expenses.

The committee recommended pursuing charges under the Anti-Plunder Act, which imposes penalties of reclusion perpetua and perpetual disqualification from holding public office.

The misuse of P612.5 million may potentially be classified as plunder.

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