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LIVE UPDATES: Impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte
Former OVP disbursing officer Gina Acosta testified that she released P500 million in confidential funds to Col. Raymund Lachica, with no official receipts for P75 million in medical and food expenses. Senator-judges questioned her due diligence and accountability, with one calling her 'stupid' for trusting Lachica. The prosecution is weighing whether to call Lachica as a hostile witness, and OVP assistant chief of staff Lemuel Ortonio testified about transporting the cash in bags.
Acosta testifies on release of P500 million confidential funds
During the 17th day of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, former Office of the Vice President (OVP) special disbursing officer Gina Acosta confirmed that she released P500 million in confidential funds to security officer Col. Raymund Dante Lachica. She told the court that after encashing confidential fund checks, she would inform Lachica and release the cash to him, with the amount depending on his stated object of expenditures. In the fourth quarter of 2022, she released the entire P125 million withdrawal to him; in the first quarter of 2023, she released around P80 million; and she also released funds after subsequent withdrawals in the second and third quarters of 2023.
Acosta also confirmed that she did not have official receipts for P75 million in medical and food expenses she said were for confidential activities. She told Senator Lito Lapid that she reviewed documents from Lachica and noticed some acknowledgment receipts were missing basic details like dates, names, and signatures. Lachica allegedly told her that the transactions were sensitive and confidential, and that the documents he gave her were all he could provide. She relied on those documents for liquidating the funds.
She admitted she did not personally witness Lachica hand cash to individuals who signed receipts, including names such as 'Antonio Pagong,' 'Timon Andrew Pusa,' and 'Shane Ngitngit.'
Senator-judges question due diligence
Several senator-judges pressed Acosta on her oversight as the responsible officer for the OVP's P125 million in confidential funds in 2022. Senator-judge Ping Lacson said that an SDO's job is not merely ministerial; 'You must remember you have fiduciary responsibility,' he told her, adding that she may be held accountable for questionable cash disbursements. She acknowledged that responsibility.
Senator Patricia Gatchalian asked how she could assure the result that funds were not pocketed, given that she had no personal knowledge of the actual release or use. 'As an accountable officer, what assurance?' she asked. Acosta replied that she could not rule out the possibility of fabrication, but that she trusted Colonel Lachica because Duterte had designated him as the OVP's security officer and he was the 'expert on the ground.'
The court also scrutinized the acknowledgment receipts. Senator Raffy Tulfo pointed out that several receipts had different names but appeared to carry the same signature. Acosta said she initially verified with Lachica, but Tulfo berated her: 'You're stupid in the name of blind loyalty.'
Senator Lito Lapid questioned how his surname appeared on two of the receipt names, raising the possibility that the names were aliases or nonexistent individuals. He also asked Acosta where the P45 million from a second withdrawal of P125 million had gone; she said she told him that she placed it in the OVP vault and later gave it to Lachica.
Private prosecutor Amando Vigor Ligutan drew attention to what he called Acosta's 'canned' responses, and he moved to strike her testimony of answers, but the presiding officer, Senator Chiz Escudero, denied that motion.
Prosecution weighs whether to call Lachica as witness
The House prosecution team said it is considering whether to call Lachica to the stand. Spokesperson Benjamin Tolosa Jr. said that calling a hostile witness carries risks, noting that the witness could lie, but that the risks can be mitigated by prior sworn statements. Lead prosecutor Keith Luistro said Lachica is on the prosecution's witness list but the final decision is pending.
Senator Escudero asked the prosecution if it would request Lachica's appearance, given that Acosta repeatedly identified him as the response to who received the funds.
Ortonio testifies on Day 18
On the 18th day of the trial, OVP Assistant Chief of Staff Lemuel Ortonio took the stand. He was zip alleged to have accompanied Acosta when she encashed the P500 million at a bank in Shaw Boulevard, with the amount withdrawn in four P125-million tranches. Acosta has said that Ortonio assisted her in transporting the money in four traveling bags.
The prosecution intends to have Ortonio declared a hostile witness. Separately, the trial court was expected to rule on the online behavior of counsels for both parties, after having flagged public statements discussing the merits of the proceedings.
OVP spending discrepancy and Ortonio's personal funds
The transcript also revealed spending discrepancy: the OVP had P125 million in confidential funds, yet the actual spending reached P125,150,000. During his testimony, Ortonio said that he gave P150,000 from his own pocket. The OVP initially referred to a mix-up, but later said it was due to Ortonio's spending. The Defence spokesperson Michael Vance said that he also had to shell out money on occasion, but that Duterte did not sanction an 'abono' policy.
The trial began on July 6, with three senator-judges absent: one was in hiding, another detained, and the other surrendered. Acosta's testimony falls under Article I of the impeachment articles identifying Duterte for misuse of P612.5 million, but she has said she does not know why Duterte hired her.
How each outlet told it
Cebu Daily News
Framing: Focuses on Ortonio's upcoming testimony and prosecution's intent to declare him hostile. — Informative, forward-looking.
Facts Included:
Day 18 of trial: OVP Assistant Chief of Staff Lemuel Ortonio to testify on confidential funds.
Ortonio allegedly accompanied Acosta when she encashed P500 million at LandBank Shaw Boulevard.
Amount withdrawn in four P125-million tranches from Q4 2022 to Q3 2023.
Ortonio assisted in transporting P125 million in cash in four traveling bags in all four quarters.
Ortonio's signature appeared on OVP submissions to COA.
House prosecution intends to have Ortonio declared hostile witness.
Court expected to rule on online behavior of counsels; statements on merits prohibited.
Framing: Live updates format covering multiple developments, including prosecution's consideration of Lachica's testimony. — Neutral, factual live blog with direct quotes from various parties.
Facts Included:
House prosecution team weighing if Lachica's testimony necessary; risks include witness lying.
Prosecution spokesperson Benjamin Tolosa, Jr. quoted on considering hostile witness.
Defense team won't 'telegraph' witnesses or strategy; spokesperson Michael Poa quoted.
Former DepEd SDO Edward Fajarda requested to skip trial after reported stroke.
Escudero said court received letter and medical certificate for Fajarda.
Senator Erwin Tulfo questioned Acosta over P122 million medicine purchases classified as informant rewards.
Acosta turned emotional when asked about husband's health; Senator Imee Marcos asked.
Acosta questioned over knowledge of Davao confi funds; Ligutan asked about 'selective memory'.
Senator Risa Hontiveros questioned Acosta over AR with name 'Clarisse Hontiveros' dated February 24, 2023, her birthday.
Acosta said she does not know why Sara Duterte hired her.
Defense spokesperson Poa denied report VP Sara wants to talk to Marcos; called it 'fake news'.
Acosta said she no longer had acknowledgment receipts for P125 million because they were returned to Lachica.
Framing: Focuses on the absence of official receipts for confidential fund expenses, highlighting a specific factual gap. — Objective, factual report of testimony without strong emotional language.
Facts Included:
Gina Acosta confirmed no official receipts for P75 million in medical and food expenses for confidential activities.
Presiding Officer Francis 'Chiz' Escudero asked about official receipts for confidential fund purchases.
Acosta reviewed documents from Col. Raymund Dante Lachica and found some acknowledgment receipts missing dates, names, and signatures.
Lachica allegedly said transactions were sensitive and confidential, and documents provided were all that could be submitted.
Acosta relied only on Lachica's documents for liquidation.
Acosta did not personally witness Lachica hand funds to individuals including 'Antonio Pagong,' 'Timon Andrew Pusa,' 'Don Piang,' 'May Pamana,' 'Shane Ngitngit,' and 'Xuniso P. Belat.'
Acosta said she was not on the ground; Lachica implemented confidential operations.
Framing: Highlights Lacson's assertion that an SDO's job is not ministerial, emphasizing accountability. — Legalistic and firm, reflecting Lacson's admonition.
Facts Included:
Senator-judge Panfilo 'Ping' Lacson said an SDO's job is not ministerial and may be held accountable.
Acosta confirmed no official receipts for P75 million in medical/food expenses.
Lacson asked if Acosta's work was ministerial, and reminded her of fiduciary responsibility.
Acosta acknowledged fiduciary responsibility.
Acosta released cash to Lachica after encashing checks; amounts varied by Lachica's stated object of expenditures.
In Q4 2022, entire P125 million withdrawn was released to Lachica.
In Q1 2023, around P80 million released to Lachica.
Cash released in second and third quarters of 2023 as well.
Lacson said supplies like food, furniture, medicines must have official receipts and sales invoices with real persons, no aliases.
Framing: Highlights the release of P500 million to an unbonded officer, emphasizing potential violation. — Factual with a critical edge regarding the violation.
Facts Included:
Gina Acosta testified she released P500 million in confidential funds to Col. Raymund Dante Lachica.
COA prohibits transfer of confidential funds from one accountable officer to another.
Private Prosecutor Amando Virgil Ligutan said transfer violated two provisions of joint memorandum circular.
Ligutan pointed to provisions prohibiting transfer of accountable officers between agencies and transfer of funds.
Acosta said she released funds to Lachica because he was designated by Duterte and was expert.
Lachica was not a bonded accountable officer; Acosta remained accountable for liquidation.
Lachica signed document acknowledging receipt of P125 million.
Framing: Focuses on Gatchalian's question about whether funds were pocketed, highlighting accountability concerns. — Probing, skeptical of Acosta's assurances.
Facts Included:
Senator-judge Sherwin Gatchalian pressed Acosta on how she could account for funds released to Lachica.
Acosta admitted no personal knowledge of actual release or use of money.
Gatchalian questioned reliance on fund utilization report signed by Lachica.
Gatchalian asked how she could rule out fabrication.
Gatchalian asked how she can assure public money was not pocketed.
Acosta said she trusted Lachica because Duterte designated him.
Lachica served as commanding officer of Vice Presidential Security Protection Group.
Acosta said she did not raise accountability issue with Duterte because office order designated Lachica.
Acosta said funds were liquidated and submitted to COA.
Framing: Questions whether Acosta's answers were scripted, focusing on her repetitive responses. — Analytical, with a hint of skepticism towards Acosta's credibility.
Facts Included:
Private prosecutor Amando Virgil Ligutan drew attention to Acosta's similar answers as a hostile witness.
Acosta handed Duterte's security chief Raymund Lachica over P500 million in OVP confidential funds.
This appeared to run counter to a 2015 government joint circular stipulating only the SDO could handle secret funds.
Acosta repeated answers about Lachica being assigned by the VP and being the expert.
Ligutan called out 'canned answer' and moved to strike; defense lawyer Lindon Bacquel moved to strike, Escudero did not grant request.
Acosta remembered little about Davao City stint under prosecution, but more under defense.
House prosecutor Keith Flores said not scripted but careful.
Prosecution spokesman Ace Barbers said sticking to a line may be her way to evade questions.
Senator Raffy Tulfo told her 'You're stupid in the name of blind loyalty.'
Senator Ping Lacson said 'I cannot extract an answer from you.'
Senator Tito Sotto said 'I don't want to hear the template.'
Framing: Emphasizes the grilling over Acosta's scrutiny of receipts, focusing on due diligence. — Objective but includes direct quotes that show frustration from senator-judges.
Facts Included:
Gina Acosta, SDO for OVP's P125-million confidential funds in 2022, faced scrutiny over examination of documentary evidence.
Senator-judges questioned her due diligence in scrutinizing acknowledgment receipts submitted by Lachica.
Acosta repeatedly said she merely disbursed funds and Lachica implemented programs.
She admitted relying on documents and Lachica's assurances without personal knowledge.
Prosecution flagged unusual names in receipts: 'Pagong,' 'Pusa,' 'Ngitngit'.
Senator Raffy Tulfo asked why she didn't scrutinize receipts more closely given unusual names.
Acosta responded that Lachica was the implementor.
Senator Tito Sotto said 'I don't want to hear the template anymore.'
Senator Risa Hontiveros asked if it would be fair if she takes the fall.
Acosta said she knew VP Sara Duterte knows what she is doing.
Prosecution presented Acosta for Article I accusing VP of misusing P612.5 million in confidential funds of OVP and DepEd.
Former DepEd SDO Edward Fajarda suffered a brain stroke and cannot testify.
Escudero instructed Senate medical bureau to examine Fajarda and validate medical findings.
Framing: Questions whether Sara Duterte sanctioned an 'abono' policy, focusing on Ortonio's personal spending. — Inquisitive, analytical about the implications.
Facts Included:
OVP Assistant Chief of Staff Lemuel Ortonio revealed he gave P150,000 from his own pocket.
OVP had P125 million but actual spending was P125,150,000.
OVP initially said disparity might be mix-up, later said it was due to Ortonio's spending.
Ortonio said it's not common for him to shell out money.
Expenses may be reimbursed subject to COA rules.
COA Joint Circular No. 2015-01 does not allow confidential funds cash advance as reimbursement.
Defense spokesperson Michael Poa said he also had to shell out money but Duterte did not sanction an 'abono' policy.
Poa said he experienced shelling out money and mentioned it in public congressional hearing.
Framing: Questions if Lachica will testify, analyzing prosecution's strategy and potential impact. — Analytical, speculative about prosecution's intentions.
Facts Included:
Acosta repeatedly mentioned Lachica as recipient of confidential funds.
Presiding officer Escudero asked if prosecution would request Lachica's appearance.
Lead prosecutor Jinky Luistro confirmed Lachica is part of prosecution's witnesses but final decision pending.
Lachica could clarify how funds were spent; questions about Madriaga, fake receipts, who received money.
Prosecutor Keith Flores said whether Lachica testifies or not, it's admitted Acosta did not disburse funds.
Prosecution spokesman Ace Barbers noted AFP has ongoing probe into officers including Lachica and Nolasco.
Prosecutor Joel Chua said you don't call a hostile witness unless desperate.
Article states Acosta's admission is significant but old news; prosecution needs bombshell.
Each row is one claim, attributed to the outlet whose wording states it most clearly. Confidence rates how directly the source text states the claim — explicit and unhedged rates high; hedged, pieced-together, or internally inconsistent statements rate lower. It does not measure whether the claim is true. Status counts the distinct outlets we found asserting it — so a single-source claim can still show high confidence, and a multi-source claim can show medium. Every one of those outlets is named beside the status, so you can check the count against the list. For claims extracted before we began storing that list, the row says so: it names the outlet the claim is quoted from and states that we have not recorded which outlets backed it. Outlets wrote at different times, so a figure that evolves — a casualty count, for example — can legitimately differ between rows; check the "as of" time next to each claim's source.
Claim
Confidence
Status
ClaimGina Acosta, former special disbursing officer of the Office of the Vice President, confirmed that there were no official receipts for P75 million in medical and food expenses for confidential activities.
ClaimDuring the 17th day of the impeachment trial, Presiding Officer Francis 'Chiz' Escudero asked whether medical and food supplies purchased using confidential funds had official receipts.
ClaimAcosta reviewed documents submitted by Col. Raymund Dante Lachica and noticed that some acknowledgment receipts were missing basic details such as dates, names, and signatures.
ClaimLachica allegedly told Acosta that the transactions were sensitive and confidential, and that the documents he provided were all that could be submitted.
ClaimAcosta did not personally witness Lachica hand confidential funds to individuals who signed acknowledgment receipts, including 'Antonio Pagong,' 'Timon Andrew Pusa,' 'Don Piang,' 'May Pamana,' 'Shane Ngitngit,' and 'Xuniso P. Belat.'
ClaimAcosta said she was not on the ground when the transactions took place, and that Lachica was responsible for implementing the confidential operations.
ClaimSenator-judge Panfilo 'Ping' Lacson said that a Special Disbursing Officer's job is not merely ministerial and that the officer may be held accountable for questionable cash disbursements involving public funds.
ClaimAfter encashing confidential fund checks, Acosta would inform Lachica and release the cash to him, with amounts varying depending on Lachica's stated object of expenditures.
ClaimLacson said that supplies such as food, furniture, and medicines, even if used for confidential activities, must be covered by official receipts and sales invoices signed by real persons, with no aliases.
ClaimGina Acosta handed over P500 million in OVP confidential funds to Raymund Lachica, a move that appeared to run counter to a 2015 government joint circular stipulating that only the SDO could handle such secret funds.
ClaimDefense lawyer Lindon Bacquel moved to strike Ligutan's comment about a canned answer, but presiding officer Chiz Escudero did not grant the request.
ClaimWhen Ligutan pressed Acosta about her stint as SDO for Davao City, she said she could remember little, but when the defense took over, her memory appeared to sharpen.
ClaimAcosta admitted relying on the documents and Lachica's assurances about verifying the use of the confidential funds despite having no personal knowledge of the transactions.
ClaimThe prosecution presented Acosta as a witness for Article I of the articles of impeachment, which accuses Duterte of misusing P612.5 million in confidential funds of the OVP and DepEd.
ClaimHouse prosecution spokesperson Benjamin Tolosa, Jr. said the prosecution is considering whether to call Lachica as a hostile witness, noting risks such as the witness lying.
ClaimSenator Erwin Tulfo questioned Acosta over the purchase of P122 million worth of medicines using confidential funds classified as rewards for informants.
ClaimSenator Risa Hontiveros questioned Acosta over an acknowledgment receipt with the name 'Clarisse Hontiveros' dated February 24, 2023, which coincided with the senator's birthday.
ClaimThere are four articles of impeachment against Duterte involving alleged misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, bribery of DepEd officials, and grave threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his family.
ClaimOnly 21 out of 24 senator-judges were physically present; Senator Bato dela Rosa was in hiding, Senator Jinggoy Estrada was detained and suspended, and Senator Rodante Marcoleta surrendered to authorities.
ClaimWitness Gina Acosta said Vice President Sara Duterte ordered her to give P125 million in confidential funds to Colonel Raymund Lachica on day 16 of the impeachment trial.
ClaimPrivate Prosecutor Amando Virgil Ligutan said the transfer of confidential funds to Lachica violated two provisions of the joint memorandum circular.
ClaimLigutan pointed to provisions prohibiting the transfer of accountable officers between agencies and the transfer of funds from one accountable officer to another.
ClaimSenator-judge Sherwin Gatchalian pressed Acosta on how she could account for funds released to Lachica after she admitted having no personal knowledge of the actual release or use of the money.
ClaimGatchalian asked Acosta, 'As an accountable officer, how can you assure the public that the money you gave to Col. Lachica was not pocketed or misappropriated?'
ClaimAcosta said she did not raise the accountability issue with Duterte because the vice president had issued an office order designating Lachica as the security officer.
ClaimThe Senate impeachment court was expected to rule on the online behavior of counsels after it flagged public statements discussing the merits of the proceedings.