As the proceedings having moved forward with the presentation of hostile witnesses.
In the eighth week of the Impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, two personalities from her camp underwent questioning from both the prosecution and defense panels.
Here are the highlights of from days 17 to 19 of the Impeachment Trial, which took place from August 24 to 26.
1. Acosta resumes testimony
Gina Acosta, the former Special Disbursing Officer (SDO) of the Office of the Vice President (OVP), was once again seen on the witness stand for the prosecution’s direct examination.
During which, she faced questions into her role regarding the disbursement of the confidential funds of the Vice President in 2022.
She alsp confirmed also giving PHP125 million of confidential fund to Col. Raymund Lachica, who served as the head of the Vice President Security and Protection Group (VPSPG) and later, the OVP head of security, in the first, second, and third quarter of 2023 for a total of PHP500 million since 2022.
Acosta also said that there were only acknowledgment receipts in the purchase of items such as medicines, with the official recalling asking Lachica about the absence of names in these ARs. Lachica was said to have told her to only rely on whatever documents were submitted to her.
“Nag-verify po ako kay Colonel Lachica, your honor, nag-rely po sa kanya, your honor, kasi siya po ang nag-implement ng mga confidential activities,” Acosta later said, as she confirmed she cannot verify if Lachica gave the funds to the recipients they were meant to be given to.
The prosecution also presented ARs that included unusual names such as Antonio Pagong and Timon Andrew Pusa.
During the defense’s cross examination, she also told that there were no Audit Observation Memorandum, Notice of Suspension, and Notice of Disallowance from the COA issued to her or VP Duterte when they were both part as of the Davao LGU as SDO and city mayor, respectively.
Acosta also said that the confidential fund were both part of the general appropriations or the budget of the Office of the Vice President.
Acosta would also face redirect examination, recross examination, and questions from the senator-judges on the same day, before she was excused by the court
2. Ortonio presented as next hostile witness
On Tuesday, August 25, Office of the Vice President (OVP) Assistant Secretary and Assistant Chief of Staff Lemuel Ortonio was presented as the next hostile witness.
He confirmed that he oversees the release, use, and liquidation of funds of the OVP as the chief of staff.
Ortonio also noted that Duterte had no confidential funds in her budget for the year 2022, which was carried over from former Vice President Leni Robredo, who had no CF that year. Instead, Duterte requested for such allocation from the Department of Budget and Management.
The VP also determined the amount of CF upon sending her request to the DBM, where there were no attachments and computations of the proposed funding.
The prosecition asked Ortonio if the OVP has not yet identified projects, programs and activities relating to national security and peace and order. He answered in the affirmative.
He also confirmed that he accompanied former OVP Special Disbursing Officer (SDO) Gina Acosta in withdrawing the confidential funds. Ortonio also confirmed, based on a document, that the 125 million CF in December 2022 was disbursed in 11 days.
Moreover, Ortonio also confirmed that the Certifications submitted by the OVP to the COA did not say where confidential funds were spent, the amount, and the name of recipients.
Although, he told earlier in the trial that he has no knowledge of the actual usage of CF.
When asked if Duterte knows everything about the use of confidential funds including the answers to COA, he said that the Vice President knows about the confidential activities and how these were implemented as all his actions were authorized by Duterte.
The following day, Ortonio resumed his testimony, when he was further questioned on the disbursement of confidential funds.
3. Escudero tackles possible violation of the sub judice rule
The following day, on Wednesday, August 26, the Presiding Officer Senator Francis Escudero, tackled the issue on tge possible violation of the court’s sub judice rule.
This comes after the point previously raised by the lead defense counsel Atty. Sheila Sison over a Facebook post made by prosecutor Atty. Amando Ligutan on allegedly commenting on the trial when he made a post on Facebook on whether “misleading questions” are allowed or not.
Escudero told Ligutan to set aside his role as a teacher as one of the prosecutors in the trial.
The Presiding Officer also told the defense team to remind their client of the rule in connection with the Vice President’s recent statement.
Escudero also warned that any public comments on the merits of the case could result in sanctions, including fine.
4. Prosecution requests for subpoena to Poa, PSA official
Meanwhile, the Prosecution requested that a subpoena ad testificandum be issued by the court to defense counsel Atty. Michael Poa, who, as former official of the Department of Education, will testify on how Duterte disbursed its confidential funds during her tenure as DepEd chief from 2022-2024.
Another official, Marizza Grande of the Philippine Statistics Authority, was also requested to be subpoenaed on Wednesday, September 2.
