Malacañang stated that prosecutors in the Senate impeachment trial have presented strong evidence regarding the alleged mismanagement of confidential funds to justify the conviction of Vice President Sara Duterte.
During a Tuesday press briefing, Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro affirmed that recent disclosures—particularly testimonies from former Office of the Vice President (OVP) special disbursing officer Gina Acosta—demonstrate direct control over the allocation and distribution of the funds.
“Ayon sa Palasyo, in a way, in a way, yes. Pagdating sa pagturo kay Bise Presidente, kay Col. Lachica na sila ang nag-control ng pondo para sa confidential funds,” Castro stated.
Acosta’s testimony highlighted that the system implemented at the OVP mirrored the procedure previously used in Davao City during Duterte’s tenure as mayor.
Senate Impeachment Court Presiding Officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero described the practice as one where confidential monies were transferred to unbonded security personnel, with temporary acknowledgment receipts issued until final liquidation papers were filed with the Commission on Audit.
Acosta confirmed this mechanism, adding that former OVP security chief Col. Raymund Lachica received four separate tranches of ₱125 million each.
Reflecting on these disclosures, Castro emphasized that the testimonies exposed an established, recurring practice in handling public funds.
“Mukhang since then, at the time na mayor siya na marami naman natanggap na confidential fund ay hindi nagli-liquidate nang naaayon sa rules. So, iyon iyong nakita nating pattern, iyon iyong isa sa mga na-reveal dito,” Castro remarked.
She questioned the leadership accountability surrounding the unverified expenditures.
“So, paano magkakaroon ng magandang liderato kung ang mga pondong ito, sa ganito pa lang na halaga ay mahihirapan na silang i-account?” she asked.
Reiterating that all confidential allocations remain public resources, Castro underscored the necessity of strict accountability.
“Tandaan natin, this is a public fund and this confidential fund is part of public funds,” she said.
“So, kapag hindi ito nai-account nang mabuti at hindi naman ito sa ngayon napapasinungalingan ng Bise Presidente na siya talaga ang nakakuha ng pera upang gamitin sa kanyang pagpoprotekta, pansariling pagpoprotekta at siya ang nakapirma sa liquidation report, so kapag hindi naisaayos mabuti at nawawala ng mga dokumento, ang ibig sabihin niyan ay may prima facie evidence na ito ay nagamit nang personal,” Castro concluded.