VP Sara probe to make way for impeachment

The House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability is set to wind down its investigation this week into the alleged misuse of confidential funds by Vice President Sara Duterte, clearing the way for the House Committee on Justice to tackle two impeachment complaints filed against her.

Panel chairperson Joel Chua confirmed on Sunday that Duterte would have an opportunity to address the allegations in the justice committee hearings.

“Some are already filing an impeachment [complaint] against our Vice President so we have decided to wrap it up so that it can no longer be used [against her],” he said. “If Congress takes action on the [petitions], it will fall to the committee on justice. So just the same, she has to answer the complaint or anything that needs to be answered there in the committee."

Alleged anomalies in confidential fund use

Chua disclosed that two military officers, Colonels Raymund Dante Lachica and Dennis Nolasco, were identified as recipients of portions of the confidential funds. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is currently investigating potential administrative liabilities in connection with the case.

Duterte’s special disbursing officers, Gina Acosta and Edward Fajarda, testified that they turned over P125 million and P37.5 million, respectively, to the two officers on Duterte’s orders. Lachica serves as the commander of the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group, while Nolasco was DepEd’s designated security officer during Duterte’s tenure as secretary.

The P125 million represents the confidential funds allocated to the Office of the Vice President (OVP) for the last quarter of 2022, reportedly used within just 11 days. The OVP subsequently received P125 million per quarter for the first three quarters of 2023.

Meanwhile, the P37.5 million was part of DepEd’s P112.5 million in secret funds. Fajarda withdrew the amount as a cash advance during the first quarter of 2023, with two additional checks of the same value withdrawn in subsequent quarters.

“From what we saw, if it was used correctly, then from the very start they should not have hidden. If it was really properly utilized, then we should not have reached the point that we have to cite them in contempt [in order to compel them to attend the hearings],” the chair lamented.

Impeachment complaints

Duterte faces two impeachment complaints filed by a coalition of organizations, including public school teachers and religious leaders, citing charges of graft and corruption, bribery, betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, and other high crimes.

Chua noted that the panel has drafted legislative bills addressing issues uncovered during the investigation, which they aim to file next week.

House Secretary General Reginald Velasco confirmed that the two impeachment petitions have not yet been transmitted to the Speaker’s office, citing reports that additional complaints might be filed soon.

Tight timeline

Under the Constitution, impeachment complaints must be referred to the Speaker and included in the Order of Business within 10 session days. The complaints are then referred to the House Committee on Justice within three session days for evaluation of their form and substance.

The committee has 60 session days to submit its findings to the plenary, which must calendar the resolution within 10 session days.

However, with Congress set to reconvene on 13 January, 2025, for only nine session days before adjourning for the election campaign on 7 February, the timeline is tight. After the May 2025 elections, sessions will resume from 2-13 June before a new batch of lawmakers is sworn in.

The House can expedite the process if one-third of its members, or 106 lawmakers, endorse the resolution, enabling it to be sent directly to the Senate for trial.