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[POLITICS] · Philippines · 3 sources

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Part of situation: Philippine Senate crisis and Duterte impeachment (114 clusters)

Vice President Sara Duterte impeachment trial intensifies over confidential funds

Sara Duterte impeachment trial confidential funds Commission on Audit Philippine Senate

The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte has intensified as prosecutors and defense attorneys clash over the use of confidential funds by the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd).

Commission on Audit (COA) witnesses, including state auditors Roderick Wamil and Xylene Mae Del Campo, testified regarding findings on these funds. Testimony from former Land Bank branch managers highlighted the "unusual" encashment of four treasury checks worth P125 million each for the OVP between December 2022 and July 2023, as well as three checks worth P37.5 million each for DepEd during the same period.

Wamil identified Gina Acosta (OVP) and Edward Fajarda (DepEd) as the disbursing officers involved, who have been subpoenaed for future testimony. While prosecutors argue the heads of the agencies should be held accountable, the defense has challenged the admissibility and relevance of various evidence.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court recently dismissed petitions challenging the impeachment process, a development described as a turning point in the proceedings. Discussions also continue in the Senate regarding the trial's duration and the constitutional mandate to proceed with the trial.

Entities

Commission on Audit · Department of Education · Office of the Vice President · Sara Duterte · Senate of the Philippines

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

  • [○ 1 SOURCE] Gina Acosta and Edward Fajarda were identified as the disbursing officers for the OVP and DepEd. www.philippinenews.com
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] The Supreme Court dismissed petitions challenging Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment. opinion.inquirer.net
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] Former Land Bank managers testified on unusual treasury check encashments. www.philippinenews.com
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] Four treasury checks worth P125 million each were encashed for the OVP between December 2022 and July 2023. www.philippinenews.com
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] State auditor Roderick Wamil testified regarding the OVP and DepEd confidential funds. www.philippinenews.com
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] Three treasury checks worth P37.5 million each were encashed for DepEd in 2023. www.philippinenews.com

Sources

CLASH HEATS UP ON VP,DEP-ED FUNDS AT IMPEACHMENT TRIAL; Senator-judges intervene as COA explains, questioned on reports [www.philippinenews.com]
Senate Must Proceed with VP Duterte Impeachment Trial — Not Short-Circuit It [www.nagkaisa.org]
Sara’s options | Inquirer Opinion [opinion.inquirer.net]