VICE President Sara Z. Duterte’s impeachment proceedings will move forward alongside pending criminal and administrative complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman, as well as the obligation to return ₱73 million in confidential funds following the Commission on Audit’s (COA) final ruling on the notice of disallowance.
House Committee on Public Accounts Chairperson Terry L. Ridon of the Bicol Saro Party-list and a member of the House Committee on Justice said Saturday the Vice President cannot selectively engage with proceedings across different constitutional bodies.
While these proceedings may arise from the same set of facts and evidence, Ridon said each carries distinct legal consequences.
“Hindi natin puwedeng pagbanggain ang proceedings sa Commission on Audit, Office of the Ombudsman, at House of Representatives dahil magkaiba ang consequences ng bawat isa, kahit pare-pareho ang facts at defenses na pinagbabatayan nila,” Ridon said in a statement.
“Malinaw na tutuloy ang mga ito nang magkakahiwalay at pagpapasyahan din nang magkakahiwalay.”
On COA’s part, Ridon explained that the consequence is the return of ₱73 million in disallowed funds to the government, which may give rise to civil remedies, including forfeiture or recovery proceedings against the assets of the Vice President and other accountable officials, once the ruling becomes final and executory.
“Sa pagkakaintindi ko, maaaring habulin ang ₱73 million sa pamamagitan ng mga legal na remedyo gaya ng garnishment ng bank accounts at iba pang ari-arian,” he added.
With respect to the malversation complaint before the Ombudsman, Ridon said the Vice President may face serious criminal charges that could be elevated to the Sandiganbayan, where a conviction may result in imprisonment and forfeiture of assets.
Meanwhile, impeachment proceedings carry the constitutional penalties of removal from office and disqualification from holding public office.
Ridon stressed that restitution of the ₱73 million would not extinguish liability under other proceedings.
“Kahit maibalik pa ang ₱73 million sa kaban ng bayan, hindi nito pinapawalang-bisa ang Ombudsman proceedings at hindi rin nito naaapektuhan ang impeachment proceedings,” he said.
“Ang usapin ng misuse of confidential funds ay maaaring magbigay-daan sa finding ng betrayal of public trust, na isang impeachable offense.”
“Magpapatuloy ang impeachment proceedings laban sa Pangalawang Pangulo, anuman ang mangyari sa usapin ng restitution,” he added.
Ridon said that Duterte’s available legal recourse following COA’s affirmation of the notice of disallowance is to elevate the matter to the Supreme Court (SC) for review.
However, he emphasized that the COA Commission Proper has already found that the Office of the Vice President failed to justify the ₱73 million in confidential expenses, citing the lack of sufficient documentary evidence to establish the nature and success of the alleged intelligence activities, as well as the necessity of the expenditures.
