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Vice President Sara Duterte rejects revived plunder and graft complaints filed against her and several officials of the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education, calling the cases a “fishing expedition” meant to justify investigations and divert attention from alleged corruption. Duterte says she and the other respondents are ready to answer the allegations before proper forums and maintains that all transactions under her watch complied with the law. She adds that the OVP and DepEd will continue their programs while the complaints undergo legal review.

Civic and church groups filed plunder and graft complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte before the Office of the Ombudsman, alleging misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds through parallel funding schemes involving the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education. The complainants asked the Ombudsman to investigate the source, release, and use of the funds, subpoena budget and audit records, and pursue criminal charges if warranted. The Ombudsman docketed the case for evaluation and has yet to announce further investigative actions or a timetable.

The Sandiganbayan has declared former lawmaker Zaldy Co and three other individuals as fugitives from justice in connection with a flood control project case. The anti-graft court issued the declaration after law enforcers failed to arrest the accused on outstanding warrants. The case involves alleged irregularities in the implementation of a government-funded flood control project. The court directed authorities to intensify efforts to locate and arrest Co and his co-accused and ordered that their fugitive status be reflected in official records while proceedings in the case continue.

Philippine embassies worldwide have been urged by Navotas Rep. Tobias Tiangco to locate former Ako Bicol representative Zaldy Co and help bring him back to the country after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced the cancellation of Co’s passport. Tiangco said he had long pressed the Department of Foreign Affairs to revoke Co’s passport following the filing of charges linked to an alleged flood control corruption scandal. He vowed to monitor the investigation and emphasized the role of foreign posts and concerned agencies in enforcing the implications of the passport cancellation.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced on December 9, 2024, that an arrest warrant for controversial contractor Sarah Discaya will be issued within the week. Marcos said authorities have completed the requirements for the warrant and will implement it once the court releases the document. Officials did not immediately disclose the specific charges, the issuing court, or Discaya’s whereabouts. The administration said it will allow the justice system to address the case and determine Discaya’s legal accountability.

The Philippine National Police acting chief, Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez, said on Monday that foreign nationals continue to attempt to revive underground Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (Pogo) hubs despite a nationwide ban. He reported that police units conduct surveillance, raids, and joint operations with other agencies to track and shut down suspected illegal Pogo facilities, verify the status of foreign nationals involved, and investigate related cyber-enabled crimes. Authorities monitor former Pogo sites, business districts, and economic zones to prevent the resurgence of offshore gaming operations.

Philippine authorities transferred dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo and two co-accused to the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City on Friday night after their conviction for qualified human trafficking. A Mittimus Order from Regional Trial Court Branch 167 mandated the move from Pasig City Jail. The three women, each sentenced to life imprisonment and fined P2 million, will undergo a 60-day reception, quarantine, and diagnostic process at the CIW before placement in the Maximum Security Camp, according to Bureau of Corrections and CIW officials.

The Philippine executive branch on Friday, December 5, 2025, announced it will return P60 billion in unused Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) funds in compliance with a Supreme Court order. Presidential Communications Office Secretary Dave Gomez said the government has started coordinating with fiscal agencies to identify fund sources, validate amounts, and process the remittance to PhilHealth through standard budget and accounting procedures. Officials will brief PhilHealth’s management on the transfer schedule and will submit compliance reports to the Supreme Court. Further implementation details will follow after interagency consultations.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. pledges to intensify his administration’s anti-corruption campaign, comparing graft in government to a “cancer” that requires major systemic surgery, while acknowledging the disruption and hardship caused by reforms. He cites investigations into anomalous flood control and infrastructure projects, asset freezes worth about P12 billion, and ongoing cases filed by the Ombudsman. Separately, the Bureau of Immigration moves to deport Chinese national Cao Cheng, alleged importer of luxury cars tied to contractor couple Curlee and Sarah Discaya, after his arrest for alleged misrepresentation and use of an alias. Authorities link Cao to a suspected luxury car smuggling syndicate and report multiple vehicles with missing import entries, unpaid duties, and tax deficiencies.

Porac, Pampanga Mayor Jaime Capil surrendered on Tuesday to the Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 265 and posted bail for graft charges tied to the controversial POGO hub operating in his town.