Groups to ombudsman: Probe Duterte confidential funds, impeachment complaint

Metro Manila, Philippines - Groups called on the Ombudsman to look into Vice President Sara Duterte’s supposed mismanagement of hundreds of millions in confidential funds and other impeachment grounds against her.

In a letter to Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla dated Oct. 20, progressive groups Akbayan Party and Tindig Pilipinas and some of the impeachment complainants told him to do his mandate of weeding out corruption in government.

“Your Office must make a firm stand against this display of impunity by a person who already has a track record of abuse of power,” the groups stated in the letter to Remulla.

“In this moment, when faith in our institutions has been deeply eroded, it is imperative for your Office to help the Filipino people demand much needed accountability from those in public office,” it said.

The House of Representatives impeached Duterte in February based on seven articles of impeachment: threat to the lives of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Marcos, and then Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez; alleged mismanagement of confidential funds; bribery and corruption; unexplained wealth and failure to disclose properties and interests; alleged involvement in extrajudicial killings; destabilization; and totality of her conduct as vice president.

After the lawmakers’ impeachment complaint, the first three cases filed by citizens were archived.

The House transmitted the complaint – which did not undergo hearings after garnering more than two-thirds of House members – to the Senate.

The Senate archived the case in light of the Supreme Court ruling that declared it unconstitutional.

The Office of the Vice President has yet to issue a statement on the letter.