The House prosecution panel insisted that the central question surrounding Vice President Sara Duterte’s handling of confidential funds remains unanswered despite explanations offered by her camp during impeachment proceedings.
Prosecution spokesperson and Kabataan Rep. Renee Co stated that testimony from Commission on Audit (COA) witnesses has only deepened doubts regarding the money’s actual disposition.
“Saan po napunta ang pera?” Co asked, emphasizing that the prosecution will push the Senate Impeachment Court to examine the transactions further.
Key irregularities highlighted during COA testimony include the sole use of acknowledgment receipts without sufficient supporting documents, questionable recipient names or signatures, unverified purchases and disbursements allegedly made in different locations on the same day.
“Mabigat yung totality of circumstances. Beyond just simply yung isang aspect neto, bibigat pa yan kasi nandun pa yung iba’t ibang anomalies na accompanying yung physical impossibility na ito,” Co said. “Andyan din siyempre yung fact na acknowledgement receipts siya, yung mga names na ginamit, yung hindi nga nireport yung names sa iba, yung iba signature lang. Napakaraming kailangan pong paliwanag.”
Under Joint Circular No. 2015-01, agencies using confidential and intelligence funds are strictly required to account for their release and expenditure, even if operational specifics remain non-public. The prosecution noted that auditors could not confirm whether funds earmarked for items like medicines and food supplies were actually spent for their declared purposes.
Co rejected defense arguments suggesting that the sensitive nature of the funds excuses full documentation.
“Hindi porke confidential, ibig sabihin hindi na kailangang ma-account,” Co stressed, maintaining that public funds require clear proof of receipt and usage.
The prosecution panel continues to present COA testimony to support Article 1 of the impeachment case against Duterte, which centers on the alleged misuse and irregular liquidation of confidential funds in the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education.