MANILA, Philippines — Gina Acosta, former special disbursing officer of the Office of the Vice President, on Monday testified that she released P500 million in confidential funds to Vice President Sara Duterte’s security officer, Col. Raymund Dante Lachica.
The Commission on Audit (COA) prohibis the transfer of confidential funds from one accountable officer to another.
Private Prosecutor Amando Virgil Ligutan questioned Acosta over the release of confidential funds to Lachica, saying the transfer violated two provisions of the joint memorandum circular governing confidential and intelligence funds.
Ligutan pointed to provisions prohibiting the transfer of accountable officers between agencies for confidential and intelligence funds, as well as the transfer of such funds from one accountable officer to another.
He said that the purpose of a fidelity bond is to safeguard public funds, stressing that it exists "to protect the money painstakingly earned by the people."
In response, Acosta said that she released the funds to Lachica because he was designated by Duterte as her security officer and was considered the person with expertise in implementing the confidential activities.
She confirmed that Lachica was not a bonded accountable officer, while she remained the accountable person responsible for the liquidation.
"He is not bonded. I am still the accountable person, which is why I was the one who prepared the liquidation," Acosta said.
She added that Lachica signed a document acknowledging receipt of the P125 million confidential fund and that she indicated the purpose for which the funds were intended.
