Manila: Malaca±ang on Tuesday distanced itself from calls for the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate Vice President Sara Duterte’s use of confidential funds, saying the matter is now up to the independent anti-graft body. ‘It’s in the hands of the Office of the Ombudsman,’ Palace Press Officer Claire Castro told reporters.

According to Philippines News Agency, Castro was commenting on the petition filed by TINDIG Pilipinas, a coalition of good governance advocacy groups, and Akbayan party-list, calling for a full audit and investigation into the Vice President’s spending of confidential and intelligence funds during her stint at the Department of Education.

Remulla said he would look into the actionable contents of the letter submitted to him by the groups. The Commission on Audit previously flagged the PHP125 million in confidential funds that Duterte’s office spent in just 11 days in 2022, shortly after assuming office.

Two impeachment complaints have been filed against the Vice President before the House of Representatives, both anchored on her alleged misuse of confidential and intelligence funds and supposed violations of the Constitution.