Representative-elect Leila de Lima has raised suspicions about the recent actions taken by the Office of the Ombudsman regarding Vice President Sara Duterte. De Lima is uneasy about the potential motives behind the Ombudsman's move, which could impact the criminal complaint against Duterte and her impeachment trial.

De Lima expressed her concerns over the unusual decision made by Ombudsman Samuel Martires, who instructed Duterte and nine other officials to respond to allegations of misusing confidential funds. This swift action by the Ombudsman, particularly considering Martires' ties to ex-President Rodrigo Duterte, raised red flags for De Lima.

The Ombudsman's request for responses from Duterte and other officials was based on a House committee report that detailed allegations of misusing over P600 million in confidential funds from the OVP and DepEd. The report recommended various criminal charges, including plunder, bribery, and fraud, among others.

De Lima also questioned the timing of Martires' actions, especially as he is nearing retirement and lacks disciplinary authority over impeachable officials like the Vice President. She highlighted the procedural complexities of the Ombudsman's investigation and its potential impact on ongoing impeachment proceedings.

The former senator suggested that there might be a hidden agenda behind the Ombudsman's actions, speculating that a ruling in favor of Duterte could derail the impeachment process. De Lima warned against premature dismissals of the case, which could undermine the impeachment trial and weaken the charges against the Vice President.

Despite the potential defense strategies, De Lima emphasized the constitutional provisions that allow the House to proceed with impeachment complaints independently of the Ombudsman's findings. She stressed that any decisions made by the Ombudsman should not interfere with the impeachment proceedings initiated by the House.

Ultimately, De Lima's concerns highlight the complexities of the legal processes surrounding impeachment cases and the need for transparency and accountability in addressing allegations against high-ranking officials.