The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte is set to examine further the use of P612.5 million in confidential funds next week, with two former aides who handled the disbursement of the funds expected to testify before the Senate impeachment court.
Lead prosecutor Batangas Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro informed the court on Wednesday that former special disbursing officers Gina Acosta of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and Edward Fajarda of the Department of Education (DepEd) would be among the prosecution’s next witnesses.
Senate impeachment court Presiding Officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero then ordered the issuance of subpoenas ad testificandum and, when necessary, subpoenas duces tecum for Acosta and Fajarda.
The confidential funds under scrutiny consist of P500 million released to the OVP for the last quarter of 2022 and the first three quarters of 2023, and P112.5 million released to the DepEd for the first three quarters of 2023 while Duterte was education secretary.
Earlier proceedings focused on the movement of the funds through government financial channels.
Former LandBank branch manager Violeta Constantino testified that Acosta encashed four Treasury checks amounting to P125 million each, totaling P500 million, for the OVP between December 2022 and July 2023.
Former LandBank branch manager Nenita Camposano also testified that Fajarda encashed three Treasury checks worth P37.5 million each, totaling P112.5 million, for the DepEd in February, April, and July 2023.
Commission on Audit (COA) state auditor Roderick Wamil later identified Acosta and Fajarda as the special disbursing officers who received the confidential funds and submitted liquidation documents for their respective offices.
The expected testimonies of the two former aides came after discussions during Wednesday’s hearing on whether special disbursing officers or Duterte, as head of the agencies, should be held accountable for the funds.
House prosecutor Manila Rep. Joel Chua said government accounting rules identify the head of agency as the accountable officer.
“Sinagot naman ng ating testigo kanina na ‘yung head of agency, which in this case, sa OVP, ang Vice President, at doon sa DepEd, ang Secretary of Education,” Chua said.
House trial spokesperson Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said documents submitted to the impeachment court showed Duterte’s involvement as approving authority.
He cited physical and financial plans, disbursement vouchers, accomplishment reports, and utilization reports that carried Duterte’s signature as head of agency.
“So, kaya hindi po pwedeng sabihin na wala po siyang accountability pagdating po dito sa confidential fund,” Adiong said.
Adiong also cited testimony from the former LandBank managers that the bank received advance notice before Acosta encashed the Treasury checks for the OVP.
He said the transactions showed that the office led by Duterte remained central to the release and use of the confidential funds.
The prosecution is expected to present Acosta and Fajarda’s testimonies as the trial continues its examination of the handling and liquidation of the confidential funds.
Photo courtesy of Business Mirror
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