Fault Lines: The Legal and Political Schism Between Romualdez and Duterte

By Louis ‘Barok‘ C. Biraogo — September 17, 2924

ONCE political allies, now locked in a high-stakes feud, Vice President Sara Duterte and House Speaker Martin Romualdez are sparring for nothing less than the presidency. Their public exchanges are laced with veiled accusations, setting the stage for what could become the defining power struggle of a generation. As the tension escalates, so do the questions: who will survive this political battlefield, and what will be left in their wake?

Nearly a year ago, simmering tensions between Duterte and Romualdez led to a political break-up, but the feud has recently heated up. Now, with Duterte leveling fresh allegations of budget manipulation and Romualdez firing back with accusations of hypocrisy, the two seem to be locked in a battle that blends personal vendetta with legal warfare. Both political figures are caught in a web of legal challenges, ranging from budget mismanagement to corruption allegations, further muddying the waters.

The Legal Quagmire: Sara Duterte

Sara Duterte, once an untouchable figure in Philippine politics, now faces mounting legal scrutiny. Her tenure as Vice President, and former Education Secretary, has been marred by accusations of misusing confidential funds and failing to provide transparency in how public money was spent. The Commission on Audit (COA) recently issued a disallowance on P73.2 million of the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) P125 million confidential funds for 2022, flagging them as “irregular, unnecessary, excessive, extravagant, or unconscionable.” Duterte’s refusal to clarify these expenditures has only deepened suspicions, and the specter of graft charges looms large.

Her troubles extend back to her time as the head of the Department of Education (DepEd). COA reports have highlighted the underutilization of billions of pesos allocated for critical educational programs. Billions intended for computerization and learning tools languished unspent, even as the agency displayed almost perfect efficiency in spending its P125 million in confidential funds. Compounding these issues is the failed school feeding program, where rotting and insect-infested food raised questions about Duterte’s oversight.

While Duterte has denied wrongdoing, her evasiveness has only fueled speculation that there is more than meets the eye. Her critics, buoyed by COA’s findings, argue that these controversies reveal a disturbing pattern of mismanagement and possibly corruption.

The Allegations Against Romualdez

But Sara Duterte is not the only one entangled in allegations. If her legal troubles are significant, those facing Martin Romualdez may be equally perilous. He, too, is under the spotlight—thanks to Duterte’s explosive accusations that Romualdez, alongside Appropriations Committee Chair Zaldy Co, manipulated the national budget for personal gain.

Duterte has publicly accused Romualdez of adding billions to the Department of Education’s budget for classroom construction, funds she claims were not authorized or controlled by her department during her time as Education Secretary. In one instance, she pointed to a P10 billion increase in the 2023 DepEd budget and a similar P5 billion adjustment in 2024, suggesting that Romualdez and Co overstepped their authority to control the funds and potentially channel them to favored regions. The implication is clear: Romualdez’s grip on the purse strings of the national budget allegedly serves personal or political interests, overriding standard government protocols.

Romualdez, however, has staunchly denied these claims, framing them as a deflection tactic. In a fiery speech during the 2025 General Appropriations Bill deliberations, he railed against “those who have their own sins” but “point fingers at others,” clearly alluding to Duterte without naming her. He emphasized that Congress would not tolerate hypocrisy or the misuse of public funds. Yet, his rhetoric has done little to quiet the whispers that something is indeed amiss in the way budget allocations are being managed.

Current Clash, Future Ambitions: The 2024 Conflict and the 2028 Horizon

With both Romualdez and Duterte embroiled in these controversies, the political maneuvering is as much about positioning for the 2028 presidential race as it is about damage control in the here and now. The fact that these two once shared the same political banner makes the split even more striking—and potentially damaging to the country’s political fabric. Both are fighting not just for public perception but also to solidify their political futures amid swirling scandals.

This schism has also drawn the attention of both legal and ethical watchdogs. Duterte’s budgetary controversies have ignited potential violations of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (Republic Act No. 6713), which demands transparency and accountability in the use of public resources. Should graft charges arise from the COA’s findings on the OVP’s confidential funds, the implications could be career-ending. Meanwhile, Romualdez’s alleged manipulation of budget allocations, if proven, would violate numerous provisions of the Government Procurement Reform Act (Republic Act No. 9184) and possibly lead to his disqualification from office.

The Tipping Point: Who Emerges on Top?

In the current political chess game, determining who holds the advantage is difficult. Duterte’s defiance, while bold, has left her increasingly isolated. The legal threats against her are mounting, and her refusal to provide transparency only strengthens her critics’ narrative. The COA’s findings on her misuse of public funds are damning, and her attempts to turn the spotlight onto Romualdez may be seen as desperation.

Romualdez, on the other hand, wields considerable power as House Speaker and a member of the influential Marcos clan. His position provides him with more leverage, but the allegations of budget manipulation could tarnish his reputation if Duterte’s claims gain traction or are substantiated through investigation. His attack on Duterte’s credibility was a tactical move to neutralize her, but whether it will work in the long run remains uncertain.

Recommendations

For Sara Duterte, transparency is no longer optional. She must address the COA findings head-on and provide clear explanations for how public money has been spent. Without accountability, her presidential aspirations for 2028 may be doomed. Rebuilding trust with the public and distancing herself from further controversy should be her top priorities.

For Martin Romualdez, the path forward requires openness as well. If his hands are clean, he must provide evidence to refute Duterte’s claims of budget manipulation. The House Speaker’s position gives him influence, but any hint of misconduct could derail his long-term ambitions. To maintain his standing, he must also push for budgetary reforms that ensure transparency and fairness, quieting any accusations of backroom deals.

In this escalating political war, the courtrooms are just one front. The real battleground lies in the hearts and minds of the public, where Duterte and Romualdez must win or risk fading into irrelevance. The fight for survival is no longer a question of who is right—it’s about who can shape the narrative that will determine their political fates.