MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Audit (COA) has denied with finality Vice President Sara Duterte’s motion for reconsideration, making final the P73.287 million disallowance involving the Office of the Vice President’s confidential funds.
In decision dated Oct. 5, 2026, COA rejected the motion filed by Duterte, Special Disbursing Officer Gina Acosta and Chief Accountant Julieta Villadelrey, affirming its earlier ruling on the OVP’s confidential expenses from Dec. 21 to 31, 2022.
The P73.287 million disallowance covered P69.787 million in alleged informer rewards — P10 million in cash, P34.857 million in various goods and P24.93 million in medicines — and P3.5 million spent on tables, chairs, desktop computers and printers.
COA said the OVP failed to provide sufficient proof that the information-gathering and surveillance activities funded by the rewards resulted in operational success. It also found that the office equipment was improperly charged to confidential funds.
Duterte, Acosta and Villadelrey were held personally and jointly liable for the P73.287 million, with COA rejecting their defense of good faith and finding their failure to comply with auditing rules constituted gross negligence.
The Manila Times sought comment from the OVP and Duterte camp but has yet to receive a reply.
Meanwhile, the OVP said that it had anticipated the Commission on Audit’s rejection of its motion for reconsideration and has prepared to respond through the appropriate legal and institutional channels.
Vice President Sara Duterte's office has yet to receive a copy of COA Decision 2026-554.
Despite the development, the OVP said it remained committed to its mandate “to develop and promote programs that uplift the lives of the Filipino people.”
