Senator Imee Marcos’ line of questioning during the Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte appeared to be an attempt to clear the Vice President over her questionable use of her confidential funds, Malacañang said on Tuesday.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace press officer Claire Castro made the remarks when asked to comment on Marcos’ questions to Gina Acosta, the former special disbursing officer of the Office of the Vice President who released confidential funds on Duterte’s orders.
The Palace executive said Marcos had the right to ask questions as a senator-judge.
“Karapatan naman niyang magtanong bilang judge, pero makikita niyo po kung saan papunta yung kanyang tanong. Unang-una ay nais niyang malusot ang bise presidente sa mga akusasyon tungkol sa paggasta ng confidential funds,” Castro said.
She said the senator’s questions stressed that the Vice President did not physically or personally handle the confidential funds, and was not beside Acosta when the funds were being readied for disbursement.
“Hindi naman kailangan hawakan ang pera para maggastos. Pwedeng iutos lamang ito,” Castro pointed out.
“Mismo ang witness ay umamin na ang nag-utos na ibigay ang confidential fund, buong P125 million, ay utos ng bise presidente sa kanyang security officer na si Colonel Lachica,” she said, referring to Col. Raymund Lachica, then the security officer of the OVP.
“Dito ay makikita ng sambayang Pilipino kung paano naging dikahon ang sagot ng witness. Paulit-ulit kahit saang daling tanong, doon pa rin at doon at iikot ang sagot niya,” Castro added.