Ombudsman orders Sara, gov't officials to respond to confidential fund allegations

The Office of the Ombudsman has formally directed Vice President Sara Duterte and nine other officials from the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Office of the Vice President (OVP) to answer accusations related to the alleged improper use of confidential funds.

In a directive dated Thursday, the Ombudsman gave the respondents ten days from receipt of the order to submit their counter-affidavits, along with any witness statements and supporting documents.

The anti-graft body also made clear that motions to dismiss or requests for a bill of particulars would not be entertained.

Alongside Duterte, the officials ordered to respond from the DepEd include Edward Fajarda and Gina Acosta, both Special Disbursing Officers; Atty. Sunshine Charry Fajarda, Assistant Secretary and Director for Strategic Management; retired Maj. Gen. Nolasco Mempin, Undersecretary for Administration; and Annalyn Sevilla, Undersecretary for Finance.

From the OVP, those named were Atty. Zuleika Lopez, Undersecretary and Chief of Staff; Lemuel Ortonio, Assistant Secretary and Assistant Chief of Staff; Lt. Col. Dennis Nolasco, of the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group; and Col. Raymund Dante Lachia, Commander of the same unit under the Philippine Army.

The case stems from charges filed by the House of Representatives regarding alleged irregularities in the use of confidential funds during Duterte’s concurrent leadership of the DepEd and the OVP.