Metro Manila, Philippines – A former special disbursing officer of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) told the Impeachment Court on Monday, Aug. 17 that her boss, Sara Duterte, ordered the release of ₱125 million from the agency’s confidential funds to a security officer.
“Ang nag-utos po sa akin na i-release ang pera na 125-M sa security officer na si Colonel Lachica ay si Ma’am Sara Duterte,” Acosta said, referring to the former head of the vice presidential security group, Raymund Lachica.
[Translation: The one who instructed me to release the ₱125 million to security officer Col. Lachica was Ma’am Sara Duterte.]
Under the 2015 joint circular governing the use of confidential funds, the special disbursing officer is designated by the head of agency to be in charge of disbursements of confidential and intelligence funds. The circular prohibits the transfer of cash advance from one accountable officer to another.
Acosta explained that Lachica was supposedly knowledgeable about confidential activities.
“Wala po ako alam your honor kung ipatutupad, wala akong security, wala akong access sa security information, your honor,” she said.
[Translation: I don’t know anything about implementing such activities. I have no security nor access to security information.]
Further asked by presiding officer Chiz Escudero, the witness said she won’t consider Lachica as a “recipient” of confidential funds for personal use.
Cash stashed in four travelling bags
Acosta also confirmed that she placed the tens of millions in cold cash in four black travel bags withdrawn from the Landbank Shaw Boulevard branch in Madaluyong City on Dec. 20, 2022.
She said two bank security guards helped her carry the bags to the vehicles, adding that the cash was brought to the OVP.
Former Landbank branch manager Violeta Constantino previously testified similar observations and said based on personal knowledge, the cash was placed in four gym bags.
Pressed by prosecution counsel Amando Ligutan on who ordered what he called the railroading of the release of disbursement voucher and checks and the encashment of the money – all on the same day – Acosta refused to directly answer.
“Hindi po ako nag-utos, your honor,” she said.
“Sino ang nag-utos sa’yo?” Ligutan clarified.
“Basta i-process po iyon, your honor, on our regular process,” Acosta responded.
[Translation: I didn’t instruct it, Your Honor…Who ordered you to do that?…It went through the regular process.]
