The prosecution in the ongoing impeachment trial revealed that Davao City received a total of P1.84 billion in confidential funds during Vice President Sara Duterte’s four-year tenure as mayor.
Private Prosecutor Atty. Amando Virgil Ligutan presented records before the Impeachment Court showing that the city was allocated P460 million annually from 2019 to 2022. These funds were managed by Special Disbursing Officer (SDO) Gina Acosta, who later assumed the same role at the Office of the Vice President (OVP).
When questioned, Acosta admitted she could no longer recall the exact amounts due to her age. However, she confirmed that the procedures used in handling Davao City’s confidential funds were replicated at the OVP.
Among the practices highlighted was the release of confidential funds to individuals who were not bonded or accountable officers.
Acosta acknowledged granting P500 million in cash to OVP security officer Col. Raymund Dante Lachica, despite knowing he was not a bonded officer.
Pressed by presiding officer Sen. Chiz Escudero, Acosta conceded that Lachica was not bonded and she is the accountable officer despite transferring funds.
Lachica issued acknowledgment receipts for liquidation purposes but later retrieved them after submission to the Commission on Audit (COA).
This revelation has intensified scrutiny of Duterte’s management of confidential funds, with prosecutors arguing that the irregular practices in Davao City carried over to the OVP. ||
