Former Senator Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV, together with civil society advocacy group The Silent Majority, filed criminal complaints for plunder, malversation, and graft against Vice President Sara Duterte before the Office of the Ombudsman on Wednesday, January 21, 2026.

The complaints allege Duterte’s involvement in the misuse of billions of pesos in public funds spanning her tenure as Davao City vice mayor and mayor, Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd), and as Vice President and Education Chief.

Key Allegations
According to the complaint, Duterte faces multiple serious accusations, including:
Plunder and malversation involving roughly ₱650 million in confidential funds from the Office of the Vice President and the DepEd.

Plunder of about ₱2.7 billion in confidential funds during her time as Davao City mayor.
Graft and malversation in an alleged overpriced ₱8-billion laptop procurement under DepEd.

Graft and incompetence tied to ₱12-plus billion in Commission on Audit disallowances at DepEd.

Unliquidated cash advances totaling around ₱7 billion.

Failures in classroom construction, with only a fraction of target classrooms built.Alleged undeclared assets exceeding ₱2 billion in her Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth.
Claims of bribery and corruption linked to receiving money from a person connected with illegal drugs during her mayoral term.

The filing also describes episodes deemed conduct unbecoming of a public official, including remarks Duterte made in publicized incidents while in office.

Complainants’ Position
Trillanes, speaking to media after the filing, stressed that the complaints aim to hold the country’s second-highest official accountable for alleged financial irregularities and breaches of public trust. He argued that Duterte’s continued popularity should not shield her from scrutiny, asserting that detailed allegations and public information gaps necessitate official investigation.

Representatives of The Silent Majority echoed calls for swift and thorough action by the Ombudsman, urging that malversation and plunder charges be examined promptly.

Response and Wider Context
As of publication time, the Office of the Vice President (OVP) has not issued an official response to the filing. Duterte has in the past forums dismissed similar allegations as politically motivated, though no formal statements were immediately available Wednesday.

The latest complaints build on earlier attempts by various groups in 2025 to challenge Duterte over alleged misuse of confidential funds. Prior impeachment efforts centering on those claims were dropped on procedural grounds.

What Happens Next
Under Philippine law, the Ombudsman is tasked with investigating allegations against public officials, determining whether to file charges before appropriate courts such as the Sandiganbayan. A plunder conviction, if proven, carries severe penalties including long prison terms and perpetual disqualification from public office.

Both supporters and critics of the Vice President are closely watching developments, anticipating that the coming weeks could see preliminary determinations by the Ombudsman on whether to pursue formal indictments.