Bicol Saro Party-list Representative Terry Ridon has called on the Office of the Ombudsman to conduct an investigation into Vice President Sara Duterte and key personnel from her office for possible malversation involving confidential funds.
The lawmaker’s call followed a panel hearing where prosecutors cross-examined Office of the Vice President (OVP) Assistant Chief-of-Staff Lemuel Ortonio.
During the inquiry, prosecutors questioned accomplishment reports that listed identical ₱125-million totals across varying timeframes, locations, and spending categories.
Ridon, who serves on the House prosecution panel for the Senate impeachment proceedings, highlighted recurring line items, particularly a ₱16-million expense designated for the rental and maintenance of safe houses that appeared across multiple quarterly filings despite differing durations.
“Panawagan na rin namin sa Ombudsman na silipin na po nila kung may actual na malversation na na-commit si Ms. Acosta, si Mr. [Raymund Dante] Lachica, at si Vice President Sara Duterte dito sa paggamit po ng confidential funds,” Ridon stated.
“Malinaw na talaga, nilaro, pinera itong confidential funds na ito,” the lawyer-legislator remarked.
Addressing the reported rental expenses, Ridon compared the figures to top-tier real estate rates.
“Alam po ninyo yung pinag-uusapan na presyo ng safe houses po na ito—pag-upa ng bahay mula sa mga pinaka-exclusive subdivisions sa Pilipinas, katulad ng Forbes Park at Dasmariñas Village.”
“Yung pinakamahal na mga condominium sa loob ng Bonifacio Global City at ng Makati. So yun po yung level ng safe houses price na pinag-uusapan po natin dito,” he noted.
Furthermore, the lawmaker questioned whether established state security agencies operating with confidential budgets would spend comparable amounts on safe house arrangements.
“I’m quite certain, hindi po ganyan yung ibinibigay, binabayad na safe houses ng mga security sector po natin na may confidential funds,” Ridon added.