Ombudsman Samuel Martires on Monday, June 30 clarified the legal boundaries of his office's investigation into the case of Vice President Sara Duterte, emphasizing that the Office of the Ombudsman can only proceed to prosecution if the impeachment court renders a conviction.
In an interview with DZRH Dos Por Dos, Martires addressed mounting questions over the Ombudsman recent action on complaints against the Vice President despite her status as an impeachable official.
"Kami ay hindi nakikipag-agawan sa Senado, sa Kongreso tungkol sa impeachment ni VP Sara. Sa ngayon lang sa binigay sa aming kapangyarihan ng Constitution... hanggang investigasyon lang kami," Martires explained.
He stressed that even if his office finds sufficient evidence, it has no authority to prosecute the case until the impeachment process is completed.
"Pwede lang kaming mag-prosecute kung ang isang impeachable officer ay na-convict na ng Impeachment Court. Hangga't si VP Sara ay hindi pa nako-convict ng Impeachment Court ng Senado, hindi kami puwedeng mag-prosecute — hanggang imbestigasyon lang kami," he said.
Martires also disclosed a significant procedural reform in how office conducts investigations. He stated that beginning of May this year, the Office of the Ombudsman has eliminated the fact-finding phase, which previously seen as a major cause of delays in handling corruption cases.
"Ang nakasanayan sa Ombudsman, magko-conduct ng fact-finding investigation. Ito ang nakita kong dahilan ng pagbagal ng imbestigasyon sa isang kaso," Martires shared.
"Sa Criminal Law, walang nakalagay na fact-finding investigation. Deretso iyan sa preliminary investigation,” he added.
Martires said that under the new system, cases now go directly to preliminary investigation, expediting the process and improving efficiency.
He noted that in the past, some cases lingered in fact-finding for six to eight years.
On the issue of the complaints against Duterte and 11 other personnel from the Office of the Vice President and Department of Education (DepEd), Martires confirmed that only the Vice President has so far submitted a counter-affidavit.
"Ang mga taong binanggit doon sa report ay 12... Kasi ang binigay na counter-affidavit ay counter-affidavit lamang ni Vice President Sara. Wala pang sagot ang 11."
He also responded to criticism that the Ombudsman may be fast-tracking the investigation to favor VP Duterte.
"Ang nagtataka lang ako... ay bakit sila nagtataka na binibilisan namin ang investigasyon. Nung araw, nagagalit sila... na ang bagal ng investigasyon ng ombudsman," he stressed.
"Ngayon naman, binibilisan ang investigasyon, sinasabi na bakit binibilisan dahil paboran ko daw si VP Sara,” he further said.
Martires defended his track record and independence from political influence, recalling decisions that went against both Duterte allies and critics.
"Nung kinasuhan ko si Secretary Duque... nung kinasuhan ko ba si Lloyd Lau tungkol sa Pharmally... tinanggal ko yung overall deputy ombudsman na inappoint ni Duterte... May nagsabi ba?," he questioned.
The Ombudsman reiterated that he has never received instructions or interference from former President Rodrigo "Roa" Duterte.
"Mula nang ako inappoint ni Digong... ni minsan ay hindi ako kinausap o tinawagan ni Presidente Duterte tungkol sa isang kaso. Hindi sa tumawag, kahit sino kamag-anak niya, kahit sino sa mga cabinet members niya... Walang ganun," he pointed out.
On whether the Office of the Ombudsman will dismiss the case due to lack of evidence, Martires said they are still waiting for the House of Representatives to submit certified true copies of supporting documents.
"Kung walang ebidensya sila, bakit sila nagsabi na itong si VP Sara ay dapat kasuhan ng plunder, malversation at iba pang mga kaso?."
"So hihingi kami ng mga dokumento...Sa kanila lahat manggagaling ang mga dokumentong ito at ang dapat naibigay na dokumento samin ay dapat certified true copies," he added.
Martires questioned why the House provided his office with the committee report if they were concerned about interference with impeachment proceedings.
"Ang tinatanong ko lang... kung alam nila na ito ay makakaapekto sa impeachment proceedings, why in the first place did they furnish us a copy of the committee report? Ano ito, binigyan kami ng kopya para gawin naming paperwork? Para gawin naming scratch paper?"
Martires emphasized that the Ombudsman will continue to investigate independently but will not encroach on the jurisdiction of the impeachment court.
"Kami naman ay patuloy at tahimik na ipagpapatuloy ang investigasyon dito sa kasong ito," Martires concluded.
Meanwhile, House Prosecutor and Manila Representative Joel Chua earlier explained that the House did not intend to prompt a direct investigation.
He emphasized that the committee’s report, submitted on June 10, was intended merely “copy furnished” to various government agencies, including the Ombudsman, with the findings related to the use of confidential funds by the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education.
"Yung Ombudsman po kasi, copy furnished lang, hindi lamang po siya. Lahat po ng mga concerned agencies. Kaya hindi po namin akala na ito po ay aaksyonan kaagad-agad," Chua told DZRH.
Chua also noted that the impeachment complaint contains broader allegations including failure to file proper SALNs, bribery, and EJKs — while the committee report focused solely on confidential fund anomalies and policy recommendations.
He explained that they did not expect the Ombudsman to take immediate action, particularly because the committee report did not include attachments or evidentiary documents.
"Medyo nagulat lang kami kasi noong November, kung maalala po ninyo, may mga pronouncement po ang ating Ombudsman, si Ombudsman Martires, na wala siyang nakikita pang pagkakamali ang ating Vice President," Chua said, referring to previous public remarks made by Ombudsman Samuel Martires.
"Normally po yan, meron pa po munang fact-finding investigation. Ibig sabihin magkakalap pa po muna sila ng mga ebidensya. Kasi yung kinopya po namin sa kanila, wala pa po itong attachment ng mga ebidensya," Chua said which Martires debunked.
Chua noted that the committee report differs from the articles of impeachment.
"Dito po sa aming sinumite ng committee report… dalawang aspeto po ang laman. Unang-una, mga polisiyang nais ipatupad. Ang isa pa po, tungkol lamang sa confidential fund at bribery issue," he said.
The impeachment complaint filed against Vice President Sara Duterte includes seven articles, each outlining alleged violations such as betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, and other offenses related to her actions as Vice President and concurrent Secretary of the Department of Education.
