A former branch manager of the Land Bank of the Philippines (LandBank) testified Wednesday during the Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte that ₱112.5 million in cash was withdrawn and immediately carried out through a backroom fire exit.
Testifying on the 10th day of the trial, former LandBank Department of Education (DepEd) branch manager Nenita Camposano confirmed the massive cash transaction under direct examination by House prosecutor and Manila 3rd District Representative Joel Chua.
House prosecutors brought forth witnesses to trace ₱612.5 million in allegedly misused confidential funds cited in Article I of the impeachment complaint. The ₱112.5 million in question was part of the confidential allocations under Duterte’s control during her tenure as Education Secretary.
Camposano testified that the total amount was disbursed across three separate checks worth ₱37.5 million each.
When asked if bank staff assisted former DepEd disbursing officer Edward Fajarda and his companion in handling the money, Camposano explained that bank regulations strictly prohibit staff from handling money once it has been turned over to a customer.
“May policy tayo na ‘pagkanakuha na ng kliyente ang pera, hands-off na ang bangko,” Camposano said.
“Para sa safety din ng mga empleyado na parang last touch na, kung ano man ang mangyari do’n sa pera after hawakan ng kliyente, hindi na namin sagot ‘yun,” she added.
Camposano further detailed that the individuals left through an exit door situated behind the main teller counter.
“‘Yung backroom ng LandBank DepEd branch ay sa may likod ng teller … Sa may fire exit,” Camposano said.
Asked if anyone was waiting for the pair past the exit, the former branch manager noted that bank staff could no longer see them once they stepped through the back door.
During cross-examination, Vice President Duterte’s defense counsel and spokesperson, Atty. Michael Poa, raised whether using the fire exit was simply a safety precaution to avoid public exposure.
“Lumabas siya do’n para sa kaniyang safety siguro at hindi na lumabas sa publiko pa dahil nasa loob na po … ng DepEd?” Poa asked.
Although Chua objected on the grounds of witness competence, Senate President and presiding officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero allowed the question. Camposano then confirmed that the fire exit leads directly into the adjacent DepEd complex grounds.