The testimony of Gina Acosta, the former special disbursing officer of the Office of the Vice President, established that Vice President Sara Duterte had command and control over her agency’s confidential funds, Malacañang said on Tuesday.
This is as the Palace noted that Duterte’e physical handling or custody of the money is not needed to prove her alleged control over the funds.
In a press briefing, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace press officer Claire Castro said Acosta’s testimony illustrated how Duterte ordered the release of the confidential funds to her security officer, Philippine Army Colonel Raymund Lachica.
“The witness ay umamin na ang nag-utos na ibigay ang confidential fund buo ay P 125 million ay utos ng bise presidente. Sa kanyang security officer na si Colonel Lachica,” she said.
“Hindi naman kailangan hawakan ang pera para maggastos. Pwedeng iutos lamang ito,” Castro added.
The Palace official explained that the OVP’s former SDO repeatedly testified that she merely relayed information to Lachica.
Acosta identified Lachica as the one who carried out the “confidential activities.”
This and Acosta’s recollection of Duterte’s instruction about the confidential funds showed that the Vice President had “command” and “control” over the money.
“Para po sa Palasyo, na-establish talaga ang accountability ni Vice President Duterte pagdating dito sa pag-gasta ng confidential funds,” Castro said.
She added that it is still up to the Senate impeachment court to decide if Acosta’s testimony is sufficient to secure a conviction against the Vice President.
“Depende po, depende po iyan sa magiging desisyon ng mga judges,” she said.
“Ang mga kababayan natin, mas marami ang gusto na ebidensya ang gamitin kesa sa issue ng politika,” Castro added.
Earlier, Acosta testified that she released P500 million worth of confidential funds of the OVP to Lachica, an unbonded officer, or one who is not accountable if the funds are lost.
Acosta also claimed not to know Duterte’s reasons for hiring her at the OVP and tue Davao City government.
Meanwhile, Castro said the Palace believes that Lachica’s role in handling confidential funds needs further investigation and should be referred to the Office of the Ombudsman.