Manila: The Office of the Vice President's (OVP) PHP125-million confidential fund for the last quarter of 2022 was allocated under a broad 'Good Governance Program' without specifying any surveillance operations by number, location, or cost, according to the OVP's former special disbursing officer (SDO), Gina Acosta, who testified on Monday.

According to Philippines News Agency, during her testimony, Acosta, identified as the project accountable officer in the physical and financial plan (PFP), confirmed that she prepared and signed the document with inputs from the office's security officer, Col. Raymund Dante Lachica. The plan was a prerequisite for the fund's release, as stipulated in Joint Circular No. 2015-01, which requires confidential and intelligence fund allocations to be supported by a detailed PFP.

Acosta acknowledged her role in preparing the 2022 plan but noted that she relied on Lachica's operational guidance. She stated that the 'Good Governance Program' covered various programs of the OVP, such as Libreng Sakay, tree planting, and financial and medical assistance. However, she admitted to having no personal knowledge of any studies conducted in developing the program.

The testimony highlighted the absence of listed activities under the 'Good Governance Program' in the PFP. Acosta explained that the Joint Circular did not necessitate itemizing activities, and specific details were contained in the attachments sent to the Commission on Audit. She relied on Lachica for providing the necessary details, as he was responsible for implementing the programs funded by the confidential funds.

When questioned about the acceptance of Lachica's submissions for the liquidation of the confidential funds, Acosta affirmed her acceptance, including tree-planting activities as part of the good governance program. She admitted that the plan was generic and lacked numerical targets, as the Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) had only just been issued.

Acosta confirmed that the plan was presented to and approved by Vice President Sara Duterte. The testimony aimed to establish a documentary gap, as the plan fixed the total amount but did not disclose specific surveillance operations, their locations and costs, or numerical performance targets.