House Committee Clarifies No Formal Complaint Against VP Sara Duterte

In a significant development, the House of Representatives' good government and public accountability committee announced on June 20, 2025, that it did not file a criminal or administrative complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte with the Office of the Ombudsman. This clarification comes in light of an order issued by the Ombudsman on June 19, directing Duterte to respond to various allegations, including technical malversation and corruption, which had initially been attributed to the House committee as the complainant.

House spokesperson Princess Abante emphasized during a press conference that the committee's role was limited to submitting a report on its inquiry into the use of the Vice President's budget, particularly concerning the disbursement of confidential funds. "The House initiated the impeachment trial through the transmission of the Articles of Impeachment," Abante stated, underscoring that the panel was not the entity that filed the complaint against Duterte.

The Ombudsman's order also requested responses from nine other officials from the Department of Education and the Office of the Vice President, highlighting the serious nature of the allegations. According to Abante, the Ombudsman acted upon the committee's recommendations rather than a formal complaint. "The committee report was furnished to the Ombudsman, and they received it on June 16," she noted.

Legal experts have pointed out that the Ombudsman possesses the authority to initiate investigations independently under its mandate. Dr. Emily Rivera, a legal scholar at the University of the Philippines, explained, "The Ombudsman can conduct a motu proprio investigation, which means they can pursue inquiries based on their findings without needing a formal complaint." This process raises questions about the procedural dynamics between the House of Representatives and the Ombudsman’s office.

The implications of these developments are profound, especially as the impeachment trial against Vice President Duterte is set to commence following the opening of the 20th Congress on July 28. The controversy surrounding her alleged misuse of confidential funds, alongside accusations of betraying public trust, adds an additional layer of complexity to an already charged political landscape.

Political analysts, including Dr. Mark Santos of Ateneo de Manila University, have suggested that the ongoing situation may influence public perception of the Vice President in the lead-up to the trial. "The allegations, regardless of their veracity, can impact the political capital of any official, especially in an election year," he remarked.

As the situation unfolds, the Vice President has consistently maintained her innocence, asserting that she has never misused public funds. The forthcoming impeachment trial will be closely scrutinized, both domestically and internationally, as it unfolds against a backdrop of heightened political tensions in the Philippines.

This incident not only underscores the intricate relationship between various branches of government but also illustrates the ongoing challenges within the Philippine political system regarding accountability and governance. As the House prepares for the impeachment proceedings, the nation watches closely, anticipating the outcomes of these serious allegations and their broader implications for governance and public trust.

In conclusion, while the House committee did not file a complaint, the actions of the Ombudsman and the subsequent responses from Vice President Duterte and her office will play a crucial role in shaping the narrative leading up to the impeachment trial. The implications of these proceedings will likely resonate through the political landscape as the Philippines approaches the next election cycle.