The Office of the Ombudsman has instructed Vice President Sara Duterte and nine other individuals from the Department of Education and Office of the Vice President to address the accusations brought by the House of Representatives regarding the purported mishandling of confidential funds.

An order was issued on Thursday, directing Duterte and the other respondents to submit their counter-affidavits, along with supporting documents and witness affidavits, within ten days of receiving the order. Failure to comply within the specified period will result in the waiver of their right to present opposing evidence, allowing the preliminary investigation to proceed.

The Ombudsman clarified that it will not entertain any motions to dismiss or requests for additional details.

The complaint against Duterte and several others, filed by the House on Monday, includes allegations of plunder, technical malversation, falsification, use of falsified documents, perjury, bribery, corruption of public officers, betrayal of public trust, and culpable violation of the Constitution. The charges stem from the House Committee on Good Governance and Public Accountability's recommendation to prosecute Duterte for the alleged misappropriation of P500 million in confidential funds from the OVP and P112.5 million from DepEd between 2022-2024.

Other individuals named as respondents in the complaint include officials from DepEd such as Edward Fajarda, Gina Acosta, Atty. Sunshine Charry Fajarda, retired Maj. Gen. Nolasco Mempin, and Annalyn Sevilla. From the OVP, those charged are Atty. Zuleika Lopez, Lemuel Ortonio, Lt. Col. Dennis Nolasco, and Col. Raymund Dante Lachia.

The House has also raised concerns about Duterte's alleged misuse of confidential funds in an impeachment complaint before the Senate, to which she has refuted the accusations.