Former Senator and Civil Society Group File Formal Complaints Against Vice President
In a significant legal development, former senator Antonio Trillanes IV and the civil society organization The Silent Majority have formally lodged multiple complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte before the Office of the Ombudsman. The complaints, filed on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, allege serious financial misconduct spanning Duterte's political career from her time as vice mayor and mayor of Davao City to her current positions as Vice President and Secretary of the Department of Education.
Multiple Charges Filed Over Alleged Fund Misuse
The legal documents submitted to the Ombudsman contain three major charges: plunder, malversation, and graft. These accusations center on the alleged misuse of billions of pesos worth of public funds throughout Duterte's tenure in various government positions. The complaints specifically highlight concerns about the handling of confidential and intelligence funds allocated to both the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education.
"We are calling on the Ombudsman to give swift action to the cases filed against her so that she can be held accountable for her crimes against our nation," Trillanes stated during the filing. The former senator emphasized the importance of timely resolution for these serious allegations involving substantial public resources.
Confidential Fund Controversy Deepens
The complaints come amid ongoing scrutiny of Duterte's handling of confidential and intelligence funds (CIF), which are special allocations designated for sensitive government operations including intelligence gathering, security measures, and peace-and-order functions. While these funds are typically kept secret for operational security reasons, they remain public funds that must be utilized legally and with proper accountability.
Records show that in 2022, the Office of the Vice President received P125 million in confidential funds, which the agency reportedly expended within just 11 days. This rapid disbursement has raised questions about the transparency and propriety of the spending process.
Questionable Documentation and Recipient Details
Further examination of the confidential fund disbursements has revealed several concerning irregularities. Among the most notable red flags are questionable recipient names appearing in the OVP's records, including entries for Mary Grace Piattos, Jay Kamote, and Miggy Mango. Investigations have determined that none of these names have corresponding records in the Philippine Statistics Authority's official database.
The Philippine Statistics Authority has provided additional troubling data, reporting that 405 out of 677 names listed in the Department of Education's confidential fund receipts lacked birth certificate documentation. Similarly, 1,322 out of 1,992 names from the Office of the Vice President's records showed no birth certificate records, raising serious questions about the legitimacy of these transactions.
Previous Impeachment Attempt and Current Status
This is not the first time Vice President Duterte has faced formal complaints regarding her handling of government funds. In 2025, impeachment complaints were filed in the House of Representatives, partly based on allegations of confidential fund misuse. However, these complaints did not progress through the legislative process after being archived by the Senate.
As of the filing date, the Office of the Vice President has not issued any official comment regarding the new complaints submitted to the Ombudsman. The legal proceedings now await the Ombudsman's review and potential investigation into the serious allegations of financial misconduct involving substantial public resources.
