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OVP official testifies on Sara Duterte's P125M confidential funds
During an impeachment hearing, Office of the Vice President (OVP) Assistant Chief of Staff Lemuel Ortonio testified that Vice President Sara Duterte personally determined and requested the P125 million in confidential funds allocated in 2022. Ortonio stated the amount did not come from standard administrative assessments or budget divisions.
Ortonio testified that the P125 million was released and spent within an 11-day period from December 21 to December 31, 2022. Regarding the nature of the spending, Ortonio explained that the funds were used to facilitate payments for “obligations already incurred,” which he clarified meant arrangements had been coordinated prior to the actual release of the money.
Furthermore, Ortonio testified that informants and agents, rather than the OVP itself, were responsible for purchasing medical and food supplies. He confirmed that no official receipts were attached to these specific purchases. The presiding officer, Senator Francis Escudero, declared Ortonio a hostile witness during the proceedings.
Entities
Commission on Audit · Francis Escudero · Lemuel Ortonio · Office of the Vice President · Sara Duterte
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Informants and agents, rather than the OVP itself, performed the actual purchases of supplies using the confidential funds. mindanews.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The P125 million in confidential funds was released and spent between December 21 and December 31, 2022. philnews.ph
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Vice President Sara Duterte personally determined and requested the P125 million confidential fund allocation in 2022. philnews.ph
- [○ 1 SOURCE] No official receipts were attached to purchases of medical and food supplies made with confidential funds. mindanews.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The P125 million in confidential funds was used to pay for obligations that had already been arranged or incurred prior to the release of funds. ptvnews.ph · mindanews.com