Bicol Saro Party-list Representative Terry Ridon asserted that Vice President Sara Duterte’s return of ₱73 million in disallowed confidential funds will not shield her from possible criminal, administrative, or impeachment liabilities.
Ridon emphasized that the ruling of the Commission on Audit (COA), which upheld the notice of disallowance, is distinct from cases that may be pursued by the Office of the Ombudsman and the ongoing impeachment proceedings in the House of Representatives.
“Kahit magsauli ang Pangalawang Pangulo at kanyang mga kasama…sa kaban ng bayan, hindi (sila) maa-absolve… Hindi rin maa-absolve kung mayroong impeachment proceedings laban sa kanya kasi yung misuse of confidential funds would constitute already a betrayal of public trust and impeachable offense ho yun,” Ridon said.
He added:
“We will continue to (the proceedings) against the Vice President even if she actually returns yung ₱73 million.”
According to Ridon, the COA decision has already established elements pointing to the misuse of public funds, stressing that repayment does not negate accountability.
“Ibig sabihin, hindi na-cure ng returning of an amount of money yung mga pagkakasala under the Office of the Ombudsman and under impeachment proceedings,” he explained.
During Tuesday’s impeachment hearing, COA lawyer Gloria Camora confirmed that the agency denied Duterte’s appeal, affirming the disallowance of more than ₱73 million. The amount is part of the ₱125 million confidential funds released to the Office of the Vice President (OVP) in December 2022.
Duterte, along with Special Disbursing Officer Gina Acosta and OVP Chief Accountant Julieta Villadelrey, were identified as accountable officers and ordered to refund the amount.
Ridon underscored the gravity of the COA ruling:
“This is the final judgment of the Commission on Audit en banc, the highest constitutional audit authority of the republic, holding that the Office of the Vice President failed to lawfully justify its use of confidential funds.”
He further pointed out that the audit findings highlighted the OVP’s failure to justify the necessity and reasonableness of expenses, including millions allegedly spent on rewards, goods, and medicines for informants.
“These are not technical deficiencies. These are not clerical oversights. These are substantive findings by the Constitution’s own fiscal watchdog that the Office of the Vice President unlawfully used confidential funds without sufficient legal, factual or documentary basis,” Ridon added.