P612M Mess! Lawmakers want VP Sarah Charged With Plunder

Vice President Sara Duterte is facing possible plunder charges after the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability recommended filing the case over the controversial use of confidential funds.

And it’s not just VP Sara on the hook — current and former officials of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) are also in hot water, including Duterte’s chief of staff, Atty. Zuleika Lopez.

Aside from plunder, the committee also wants charges filed for technical malversation, falsification, bribery, and graft and corruption against those involved.

The House of Representatives adopted the committee report Tuesday night after it was read by committee chair Manila Rep. Joel Chua.

The controversy erupted after the alleged irregular use of ₱612.5 million in confidential funds by the OVP and DepEd in 2022 and 2023.

But it doesn’t stop with the charges — the committee also wants changes made to Joint Circular No. 2015-01 to stop government agencies from abusing confidential funds.

They also want clear standards set to determine which offices should be given confidential funds — and a cap on how much can be allocated.

Still not enough? The committee is also pushing to amend the Secrecy of Bank Deposits Law (RA 1405) to allow Congress to open and examine bank accounts holding public funds.

Copies of the committee report will be sent to the Office of the Ombudsman, Commission on Audit, Department of Justice, and Department of Budget and Management for action.

As of now, the Office of the Vice President has yet to comment on the issue.