In the Philippines, Vice President Sara Duterte has been formally ordered by the Office of the Ombudsman to respond to a slew of charges related to the alleged misuse of confidential funds during her tenure at the Department of Education and the Office of the Vice President.
The charges—ranging from technical malversation to plunder—stem from a congressional report alleging irregularities in the disbursement of funds between 2022 and 2023. Duterte and several former officials have been given ten days to submit counter-affidavits.
Supporters of Duterte, a prominent figure in the conservative and nationalist movement, view the charges as politically motivated. They argue that the timing—amid impeachment proceedings and rising tensions between the executive and legislative branches—suggests an orchestrated effort to weaken a potential 2028 presidential contender.
The case has reignited debates over the use of confidential funds in government, with Duterte’s allies calling for a broader audit of similar expenditures across all departments, not just those led by opposition figures.
