Prosecution Traces P612.5 Million Confidential Funds in Sara Duterte Impeachment Trial to Public Treasury

MANILA, Philippines — Prosecutors in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte have established that the P612.5 million in confidential funds at the center of the case originated from public money released by the National Treasury. The entire amount was subsequently withdrawn in cash through seven checks, according to testimony presented in court.

During the trial, former LandBank officials testified about the withdrawal and handling of the funds. Violeta Constantino, a former LandBank manager, stated that P500 million was withdrawn through four Treasury checks worth P125 million each. These were encashed for the Office of the Vice President (OVP) in December 2022 and in February, April, and July 2023. The cash withdrawals were handled by OVP Special Disbursing Officer Gina Acosta, accompanied by Assistant Secretary Lemuel Ortonio.

Another former LandBank manager, Nenita Camponsano, testified that the Department of Education (DepEd) encashed three Treasury checks worth P37.5 million each, totaling P112.5 million. These withdrawals occurred in February, April, and July 2023 during Duterte’s tenure as education secretary. The DepEd Special Disbursing Officer Edward Fajarda was responsible for encashing these checks.

Tingog party-list Representative Jude Acidre, a lead prosecutor, emphasized that the prosecution had successfully traced the source and movement of the funds. He stated that it was proven the money came from public funds and that the full amount was withdrawn in cash. Acidre noted that the trial would now shift focus to how the funds were spent and liquidated.

Article I of the impeachment complaint accuses Duterte of misusing the P612.5 million in confidential funds received by the OVP and DepEd between 2022 and 2023. The prosecution is expected to call witnesses from the Commission on Audit (COA) this week to discuss the auditing of the confidential funds and whether the liquidation documents complied with the rules governing confidential and intelligence funds.

Former COA state auditor Roderick Wamil and Intelligence and Confidential Funds Audit Office Supervising Auditor Celine May Del Campo are scheduled to testify first. They are expected to explain how the confidential funds were audited and how the liquidation was reviewed. The witnesses will also address whether the supporting documents complied with the regulations for confidential and intelligence funds.

House Legislative Information Resources Management Department Director Marivic Pareja is also expected to testify later in the week. The former COA auditors will discuss the commission’s decision directing the return of P73.287 million in confidential funds released to the OVP in 2022.

A 2024 House inquiry uncovered alleged irregularities in the liquidation documents, including acknowledgment receipts bearing names such as "Mary Grace Piattos," "Milky Secuya," and "Kokoy Villamin." Philippine Statistics Authority certifications and National Bureau of Investigation findings presented during the inquiry revealed that many of the supposed recipients had no matching birth records. Several signatures on the receipts were also alleged to have been written by the same hand.

The prosecution’s presentation of bank and audit testimonies aims to establish a clear paper trail of the confidential funds, from their release by the National Treasury to their withdrawal and subsequent liquidation. The trial is ongoing, with further testimonies expected to shed light on the legality and propriety of the fund usage.