Plunder rap vs Sara: Ombudsman can enter OVP, access papers

The ombudsman can extract documents and testimonies to bolster any new impeachment case against VP Sara Duterte.

It can do so while investigating the plunder and malversation cases filed Dec. 12, 2025 against VP Sara and 14 subordinates.

Premises and documents that the ombudsman may access are those of the Office of the Vice President and DepEd, of which she was secretary in 2022-2024.

The ombudsman may also invite her for questioning.

VP Sara can snub ombudsman invitations and subpoenas, like she did to the House committee on good government and on justice that impeached her on Feb. 5, 2025.

Her 14 co-accused risk jail time if they defy ombudsman orders.

The 1989 Ombudsman Act states:

Section 23 (3). Formal Investigation. – “In any investigation under this Act the Ombudsman may (a) enter and inspect the premises of any office, agency, commission or tribunal; (b) examine and have access to any book, record, file, document or paper and (c) hold private hearings with both the complaining individual and the official concerned…

(5) “Request any government agency for assistance and information necessary in the discharge of its responsibilities and to examine, if necessary, pertinent records and documents.” That includes law enforcement units.

The Ombudsman Act allows the investigation of any and all public officials but exempts from its prosecution impeachable ones and members of Congress and the judiciary.

Although the ombudsman cannot prosecute VP Sara, its investigations can support impeachment complaints.

The revelations of VP Sara’s self-confessed bagman Ramil Madriaga can also buttress a new impeachment case. The House Makabayan bloc intends to use it, Rep. Antonio Tinio told broadcasters Ted Failon and Czarina Guevarra last week.

In an affidavit filed with the ombudsman on Dec. 15, Madriaga confessed to delivering suitcases of cash to VP Sara, spokesman Reynold Munsayac and to an ombudsman officer. He supposedly picked up the money from OVP security Cols. Raymund Dante Lachica and Dennis Nolasco and offshore gambling hubs.

Madriaga swore he founded ISIP Pilipinas, or Inday Sara Is my President, that campaigned for her to the top post in early 2022.

He gave photographs of himself in formal barong with Sara in green terno during her VP inaugural on June 30, 2022. Plus a photo of the plaque of appreciation awarded to Munsayac by ISIP Pilipinas, co-signed by Madriaga and ombudsman investigator Ryan Quilala.

Madriaga is detained for kidnapping at Manila City Jail extension in Bicutan, Taguig. Ex-president Rody Duterte’s spokesman Harry Roque is private prosecutor for complainants Margaret and Willy Lu.

Madriaga’s lawyer Raymund Palad told Sapol-dwIZ that VP Sara twice visited Madriaga and fellow-detainee ex-congressman Arnolfo Teves last year.

Munsayac disavowed any dealings with Madriaga, only with Quilala. VP Sara did likewise, saying that Madriaga’s random photos are unrelated to his allegations, working out of desperation.

VP Sara’s co-accused for plunder, malversation, bribery, graft and corruption are OVP chief of staff Zuleika Lopez, ASec-assistant chief of staff Lemuel Ortonio, administration and finance director Rosalynne Sanchez, chief accountant Julieta Villadelrey, special disbursing officer Gina Acosta, Colonels Lachica and Nolasco; DepEd USecs Michael Poa, Annalyn Sevilla, Gloria Mercado and Ret. Maj. Gen. Nolasco Mempin, Fajarda, spouse disbursing officer Edward Fajarda, chief accountant Ma. Rhunna Catalan.

Plunder and malversation are non-bailable and fetch life terms.

Complainants are Ramon Magsaysay Awardee Fr. Flaviano Villanueva, running priest Fr. Roberto Reyes, former presidential adviser on the peace process Teresita Quintos-Deles, former Finance USec Cielo Magno, youth leaders Matthew Christian Silverio and John Lloyd Crisostomo and anti-corruption advocate Christopher Cabahug.

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His loyalists deny it. But Bongbong Marcos’ investigation and prosecution of flood control scammers are collapsing.

Two of his three Independent Commissioners for Infrastructure have resigned. ICI has looked into only a few dozen of 22,000 potentially corrupt flood works since 2016.

In jail are only two big fish, the Discaya contractor-couple Curlee and Sarah. BBM declared last Nov. 29 that the P1.7-trillion plunderers – politicos, Cabinet accomplices, bribing contractors – will be incarcerated by Christmas. It seems he only said that to defuse the planned Nov. 30 nationwide protests.

Potential state witnesses are recanting initial explosive testimonies. That’s despite having restituted their share of the loot.

Example is DPWH district engineer Henry Alcantara, who now claims no knowledge nor participation in ghost, faulty, overpriced dikes in Bulacan. Yet he returned P100 million.

Courts frown on recantations. But witnesses heed bum advice to save themselves. They foresee the big fish getting away. They’ll be left holding the bag.

The big fish are obvious. They’re persons very close to BBM.

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Catch Sapol radio show, Saturdays, 8 to 10 a.m., dwIZ (882-AM).

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