MANILA – A coalition of civilians, including two ex-government officials, lodged a graft complaint against Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte on Friday, accusing her and 15 others of siphoning 612.5 million pesos (US$13.4 million) in public funds through “coordinated schemes” at the Office of the Vice President and Department of Education.
The filing with the ombudsman’s office alleges violations of anti-graft laws, plunder, bribery, and malversation during Duterte’s tenure as education secretary from mid-2022 to mid-2024. Complainants include former presidential adviser Teresita Quintos-Deles and ex-finance undersecretary Cielo Magno.
Duterte’s office has not commented.The charges mirror a shelved impeachment bid ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in August. Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, a Marcos ally, could refer the case to the Sandiganbayan anti-graft court—though a conviction wouldn’t bar Duterte, a 2028 presidential frontrunner, unless finalized.
Tensions escalate amid a multibillion-dollar flood mitigation scandal and a House push to revive impeachment at the Supreme Court. Once allies with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the 2022 win, their partnership crumbled over rifts; Marcos must step down in 2028 after one term.
Remulla recently ousted a pick from Duterte’s father, ex-President Rodrigo Duterte, detained at the ICC over his drug war. This fresh salvo heightens Philippines’ fractious pre-election landscape.