The Office of the Ombudsman has deployed a specialized team to actively track the ongoing impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte to evaluate whether subsequent legal actions should be pursued.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla confirmed the unit’s involvement following inquiries from Akbayan Party-list Representative Chel Diokno during the agency’s budget hearing.
Diokno, serving as a prosecutor in the trial, stressed the Ombudsman’s critical role in monitoring testimonies and evidence—particularly regarding confidential funds—for potential post-trial investigations.
“May I know if your office is presently monitoring the status of the testimonies and evidence being presented, especially with respect with the confidential funds for possible violations that may be investigated after?” Diokno asked.
“It is being monitored by our office, Your Honor. There is an active unit monitoring the goings-on in the impeachment,” Remulla replied.
“Thank you so much for that. We do have some concerns about accountability that’s precisely why we have the impeachment process,” Diokno added.
During the proceedings, Diokno also pointed out that the Ombudsman’s allocated ₱55 million in confidential funds under the proposed 2027 National Expenditure Program appears insufficient for its anti-corruption mandate.
“I also would like to say that earlier I saw your budget proposal for confidential funds, which is only at the amount of ₱55 million, more or less in that area, but sa palagay ko kayo yung nangangailangan ng mas malalaking confidential funds kesa sa ibang mga ahensya na tinututukan natin doon sa kaso ng impeachment,” Diokno noted.
The impeachment complaint against the Vice President primarily centers on allegations regarding the misuse of ₱612.5 million in confidential funds spanning from December 2022 through the third quarter of 2023.