More questionable names surface in OVP payouts; receipts for ₱75 million confidential expenses unsubmitted

Metro Manila, Philippines – Acknowledgment receipts (ARs) documenting the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) confidential fund transactions revealed six more recipients with questionable names, while official receipts (ORs) to prove the liquidation of ₱75 million of supplies, and provision of medical and aid in 2022 were not submitted, a witness admitted. 

These are the names of six individuals who received payments from the Office of the Vice President’s confidential funds, based on ARs presented on Monday, Aug. 24, or Day 17 of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

-Antonio Pagong, ₱100,000, purchase of information;

-Timon Andrew Pusa, ₱100,000, payment of rental of transport vehicle related to confidential activities;

-Don Piang, ₱250,000, payment of rental of transport vehicle related to confidential activities

-May Pamana, ₱150,000, purchase of information;

-Shane Ngitngit, ₱150,000, purchase or rental of supplies, materials, and equipment for confidential operations, and;

-Xuniso P. Belat, ₱100,000, purchase of information

Private prosecutor Amando Ligutan pointed out that the last name of Shane Ngitngit means dark in Bisaya, calling back to Andy Lim–another name in the OVP’s receipts–which sounds similar to “ang dilim [it’s dark],” in Tagalog. 

Unsubmitted receipts

Former Office of the Vice President special disbursing officer (SDO) Gina Acosta testified that Duterte’s former security head, Col. Raymund Lachica, did not provide ORs to evidence the proper liquidation of ₱75 million worth supplies, and medical and food aid in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Acosta said Lachica only provided ARs. She also noted that some of the documents were missing names or dates.

However, the former SDO said she tried to double check these receipts with Lachica.

Recounting what Lachica told her, Acosta said: “Ma’am Gina [Acosta], kung ano man ang binigay ko sayo na mga dokyumento, yun na yon kasi ang mga transaction or operation doon is very sensitive information, ma’am Gina, at tsaka confidential ito.”

[Translation: Ma’am Gina, whatever documents I gave you, that’s it because these transactions and operations have sensitive information, ma’am Gina, and these are confidential.