started · updated
Vice President Sara Duterte OVP Confidential Fund Spending Scrutinized in Impeachment Trial
During the impeachment trial of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte, prosecutors highlighted the Office of the Vice President's (OVP) disbursement of ₱125 million in confidential funds over an 11‑day period from 21 December to 31 December 2022. Law dean Tranquil Salvador III noted that while no law was directly violated, the speed of the spending raises red‑flag concerns about proper use.
State auditor Roderick Wamil testified that the rapid disbursement, though not barred by Joint Circular 2015‑01, creates prima facie evidence of personal use because the funds were not properly liquidated, as required by Item 8.3 of the circular. He affirmed that the head of the agency—Duterte—bears responsibility for the cash advance, its oversight, and compliance.
Senator Imee Marcos questioned whether disbursing officers, rather than Duterte herself, should be held accountable, but Wamil reiterated the circular’s provision placing liability on the agency head. Prosecutor‑lawyer Lorna Kapunan described the situation as a "scam" worth ₱612.5 million, emphasizing the need for transparent accountability despite the confidential nature of the funds.
Entities
Commission on Audit · Department of Education · Imee Marcos · Lorna Kapunan · Office of the Vice President · Office of the Vice President (OVP) · Roderick Wamil · Sara Duterte · Senate of the Philippines
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Office of the Vice President spent ₱125 million in confidential funds over an 11‑day period from 21 December to 31 December 2022. abogado.com.ph
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Senator Imee Marcos argued that disbursing officers, not Vice President Duterte, should be held responsible for the missing funds. mindanews.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Joint Circular 2015‑01 does not prohibit spending confidential funds within 11 days. abogado.com.ph
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Auditor Roderick Wamil testified that prima facie evidence exists that the confidential funds were used for personal benefit because they were not liquidated. mindanews.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Prosecutors argued that accountability for confidential fund usage should not be kept confidential. www.rappler.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Lawyer Lorna Kapunan called the alleged misuse of confidential funds a scam worth ₱612.5 million. www.rappler.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Item 8.3 of Joint Circular 2015‑01 states that failure to liquidate public funds is prima facie evidence of personal use. mindanews.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] State auditor Roderick Wamil testified that the rapid disbursement raises red‑flag concerns but does not violate any law. abogado.com.ph