MANILA, Philippines — Senator-judge Sherwin Gatchalian on Monday pressed former Office of the Vice President (OVP) special disbursing officer Gina Acosta on how she could account for the funds released to Col. Raymund Lachica, who formerly served as the head of Vice President Sara Duterte’s security detail, after admitting that she had no personal knowledge of the actual release or use of the money.
During the impeachment trial, Gatchalian questioned Acosta’s reliance on a fund utilization report signed by Lachica, pointing out that she had admitted having no personal knowledge of the actual release or use of the money.
Gatchalian asked how Acosta could rule out the possibility that the report had been fabricated or doctored when she was not personally present when the funds were allegedly given to Lachica.
“As an accountable officer, how can you assure the public that the money you gave to Col. Lachica was not pocketed or misappropriated?” Gatchalian said.
“I also heard you say you had no personal knowledge and did not actually see the money being given. So, how would you know whether the money went into his pocket or not if you had no personal knowledge?” he added.
Gatchalian said that Acosta, as the accountable officer, had the responsibility to ensure that the funds were properly handled and accounted for.
Acosta, however, said she trusted Lachica because Duterte had designated him as the OVP’s security officer. Lachica also served as commanding officer of the Vice Presidential Security Protection Group.
She said Lachica was tasked with implementing programs charged to the confidential fund because he was the “expert on the ground” and had the necessary knowledge to carry out the activities.
Gatchalian also asked whether Acosta had raised with Duterte the potential accountability issue arising from releasing funds to Lachica, particularly because Acosta herself could be held responsible for the money as the accountable officer.
Acosta said she did not raise the matter with Duterte because the vice president had issued an office order designating Lachica as the security officer.
When Gatchalian asked whether she would accept and release the funds to Lachica even if there had been a problem, Acosta maintained that she did not encounter any issue because the funds were liquidated and the liquidation was submitted to the Commission on Audit.
