Acosta grilled over OVP confidential funds receipts irregularities

The Senate impeachment court on Aug. 24, continued the House prosecution panel’s presentation of its case-in-chief for Article I, with lawmakers scrutinizing the handling and liquidation of confidential funds under the Office of the Vice President (OVP). 

Former OVP Special Disbursing Officer Gina Acosta, the prosecution’s sixth witness, faced continued direct-examination, cross-examination, and recross-examination during the 17th day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial.

Senator-judges focused their questioning on three major areas: the accountability and documentation of confidential funds, Acosta’s reliance on Col. Raymund Lachica in the distribution of funds, and alleged irregularities reflected in liquidation records and Commission on Audit (COA) findings.

Acosta’s post vs. Lachica’s role

A central issue was Acosta’s responsibility as SDO despite Lachica’s role in the actual utilization of the funds. Senator-judges questioned whether she exercised sufficient diligence in releasing, documenting, and liquidating the funds, particularly since she remained accountable for the money. 

The senator-judges also examined the supporting documents for the transactions, including acknowledgement receipts, sales invoices, and official receipts. Questions were raised over purchases of furniture and the use of medicines as alleged rewards for informants. 

Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian likewise questioned what measures Acosta took to ensure the funds released to Lachica actually reached their intended recipients. He also asked why she relied on Lachica’s representations instead of requiring additional documentary evidence to support the transactions. 

The impeachment court further examined how the funds were distributed across 132 areas within a short period of time. Presiding Officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero questioned what Acosta meant when she said Lachica “implemented” the distribution and whether he personally distributed the funds or delegated the task to others.

COA’s findings of discrepancies

Escudero confronted Acosta over her assertion that the funds were fully accounted for, which contradicted COA’s finding that discrepancies remained.

He also raised an over-liquidation discrepancy involving the funds for which she was accountable. 

The Notices of Disallowance were also brought up by the senator-judges as they questioned Acosta, comparing her current transactions with her previous experience as a disbursing officer in Davao, where she said she had not encountered one.

During questioning by private prosecutor Atty. Amando Ligutan, Acosta denied any memory of the P460 million in confidential funds allocated to Davao City in 2019 and 2020.

“Hindi ko maalala, Your Honor, kasi hindi po ganyan ang aking na-withdraw as SDO po sa Davao City,” Acosta said.

When asked about the confidential funds from years 2021 to 2022, Acosta repeatedly said, “Hindi ko po maalala, Your Honor,” citing her age and the length of time since her tenure as SDO as reasons for not recalling the figures.

Acosta repeatedly said afterwards, “Hindi ko po maalala your honor” when asked about the confidential funds from years 2021 to 2022 as she cited her age and the length of time since her tenure as SDO as reasons for not recalling the figures. 

Questions likewise examined whether Vice President Sara Duterte personally handled or saw the encashed funds. Senator-judges asked whether the VP physically held the money and received the P45 million from the second encashment while it was kept in an alleged vault.

Meanwhile, the impeachment court granted the issuance of subpoenas for three AFP officials — Lt. Col. Manaros Boransing II, Lt. Col. Magtanggol Panopio, and Maj. Gen. Adonis Bajao for August 26.

The court also granted a request concerning witness Edward Fajarda, whose counsel said he had suffered a stroke and needed two weeks to recuperate. His presentation is tentatively scheduled for September 7, subject to the court’s medical verification.

The impeachment court adjourned after rulings on several evidentiary motions and objections from both parties.

Proceedings will resume on Aug. 25 at 10 a.m. with the continuation of the prosecution’s case-in-chief for Article I and the expected presentation of OVP Chief of Staff Lemuel Ortonio.