Testimony delivered at the Senate impeachment trial revealed that the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) request for confidential funds was submitted without supporting documentation or cost breakdowns.
During direct examination on day 18 of the trial, OVP Assistant Chief-of-Staff Lemuel Ortonio testified as the prosecution’s second hostile witness.
Responding to questions from private prosecutor Mae Divinagracia, Ortonio, who holds the rank of assistant secretary, explained that Vice President Sara Duterte personally determined the funding amount and submitted the request through an August 22, 2022 letter addressed to the Department of Budget and Management.
While the OVP secured ₱500 million in confidential funds across 2022 and 2023, Divinagracia highlighted a discrepancy in the original August 2022 proposal. The letter outlined four separate demands: financial assistance and subsidy augmentations, special duty allowance augmentations, 192 co-terminus and contractual positions, and confidential funds.
Although the first three requests were accompanied by supporting papers, the demand for secret funds came with no computations or structural breakdowns.
“Yes, the determination for the amount is in the discretion of the Vice President,” Ortonio stated during cross-examination.
“That’s correct, no computation,” he added when asked if a breakdown was attached.
“Yes, that’s correct, no attachments, ma’am,” Ortonio confirmed regarding the absence of supporting documents.
In lieu of supporting attachments, the OVP included a narrative justification into the record. The letter stated the allocation was:
“For and in consideration of the safe implementation of the various projects and activities under the good governance program and the conduct of official engagements and functional representation in international and domestic events as instructed by the Vice President.”
The submission further noted that the OVP:
“Committed to formulate programs, projects and activities relevant to national security and peace and order and is devoted to implement said PPEs with proper security and safety protocols for the benefit of the institution through the OVP satellite offices, its partner stakeholders, and the general public.”
When questioned if the phrase “committed to formulate” implied that the agency lacked active national security programs at the time of the budget request, Ortonio answered:
“Based on the letter, ma’am, there is a commitment to submit the plans and programs.”
Divinagracia countered that the document specifically used the word “formulate” rather than “submit,” which Ortonio acknowledged as:
“Correct.”
The testimony marks a key development in the ongoing trial, where Duterte faces allegations regarding the improper allocation and use of ₱612.5 million in confidential funds divided between the OVP and the Department of Education during her tenure as Education Secretary.