Vice President Sara Duterte cannot evade accountability for the alleged misuse of confidential funds by shifting blame to her former Special Disbursing Officers (SDOs), the House prosecution panel asserted.
Batangas 2nd District Representative Gerville Luistro, the panel’s lead prosecutor, highlighted testimony from Commission on Audit (COA) auditor Atty. Roderick Wamil during the Senate impeachment trial.
Wamil testified that legal responsibility extends beyond the personnel who directly handled or disbursed the money.
”Hindi nalilimit ang liability sa SDO because… maliwanag ang provision ng Joint Circular at ganoon din ang Auditing Code: principally or primarily liable ang head of agency,” Luistro stated during a press conference.
Luistro pointed to the Government Auditing Code, which designates agency heads as immediately and primarily responsible for all public funds and property under their jurisdiction. While designated disbursing officers remain accountable, their involvement does not relieve the agency head of primary liability.
Luistro noted that Wamil maintained this stance despite persistent questioning from senator-judges.
”Regardless of the nature of the questions, at kung anong anggulo siya tanungin, very consistent ang testigo sa kanyang isinasagot,” Luistro added.
House prosecution counsel Atty. Amando Ligutan underscored that Duterte’s signatures on key official documents—including physical and financial plans, disbursement vouchers, liquidation reports, and certifications—directly link her to the release, use, and auditing of the funds.
”Maliwanag din sa mga evidence and testimony na may pirma ’yung official—Vice President—sa mga dokumento na nagpapatunay na alam niya,” Ligutan said.
The prosecution panel reiterated that these signed documents prove the Vice President’s active approval, knowledge, and oversight regarding the confidential funds.