Manila Rep. Joel Chua on Sunday welcomed the “extraordinarily” prompt action of the Office of the Ombudsman to initiate a preliminary investigation into the supposed misuse of public funds by Vice President Sara Duterte and several of her employees.
Meanwhile, ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro lauded the Ombudsman’s order for the Vice President to respond to the consolidated plunder, technical malversation, bribery and corruption complaint filed by Congress.
Chua viewed the Ombudsman’s move as a “strong affirmation of the weight and integrity” of the findings submitted by the House of Representatives.
“It is both unusual and significant that the Ombudsman proceeded directly to preliminary investigation and issued subpoenas to the respondents — skipping the usual fact-finding phase–all within the same week that we furnished them with a copy of the committee report,” Chua said.
“This kind of swift response sends a clear signal—the Ombudsman has found prima facie evidence to warrant a preliminary investigation on the basis of the committee report,” he added.
“The Ombudsman acted purely on the strength of our committee report. We have not yet even attached or submitted the supporting evidence for the committee report. That alone speaks volumes,” Chua said.
Chua pointed out that early on, Ombudsman Samuel Martires publicly stated that he saw no grounds to investigate the Vice President.
“That he now believes otherwise shows that the facts uncovered by our committee could no longer be ignored,” Chua stressed.
According to him, since the Ombudsman has effectively treated the House committee report on the issue as the initiating complaint, his team is prepared to fulfil their role as complainant and ensure the process is based on truth, fairness, and accountability.
He confirmed that the committee on good government and public accountability, which he chairs, would formally request for time to file replies to counter-affidavits as may be submitted by the respondents.
“The Ombudsman will need to see the evidence supporting the committee report. We want to make sure this is not just a speedy process — but a credible one. We will cooperate fully to ensure that all parties are given fair and reasonable opportunity to present their side, as we likewise present the truth uncovered through months of legislative inquiry,” the Manila lawmaker said.
“Ultimately, this is about accountability. We are not rushing to judgment. But we owe the Filipino people a full and impartial investigation — and we are committed to seeing it through,” he added.
For her part, Castro said they welcome the Ombudsman’s move to recognize the graft charges against Duterte.
“It should not be one or the other. Impeachment is removal from office and perpetual disqualification. The criminal case meanwhile is for imprisonment and the mere fact that she is asked to explain means it has sound basis. It can also be done by the Ombudsman motu propio as stated in Republic Act 6770 (the Ombudsman Act of 1989) and the Constitution,” Castro explained.
“We would just like to warn the Ombudsman that being a Duterte appointee, the people are extra vigilant in watching him as they fear that there may be a whitewash of the case against VP Duterte even if the evidence are overwhelming,” she said.
She maintained to let the separate proceedings reach their logical conclusion, a conviction.
The Ombudsman included Duterte’s chief of staff Zuleika Lopez; special disbursing officer Gina Acosta; former officials at the Department of Education Sunshine Fajarda, Edward Fajarda, Annalyn Sevilla and Nolasco Mempin, and Col. Raymund Lachica, the commander of her security group, as respondents.
Martires directed all the respondents to file their counter-affidavits, as well as affidavits of their witnesses and other supporting documents within 10 days of the receipt of the order.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “House members welcome Ombudsman’s probe on VP”