Manila: Senate President Win Gatchalian on Monday pressed for a clearer accounting of Office of the Vice President (OVP) confidential funds after former special disbursing officer Gina Acosta said she relied on utilization reports despite not personally witnessing how the money was spent.
According to Philippines News Agency, during the 17th day of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte's impeachment trial, Gatchalian questioned Acosta on her ability to verify the proper use of funds distributed to then-security officer Col. Raymund Dante Lachica when she did not witness the actual payouts. Gatchalian expressed concerns that reliance on reports without direct oversight could lead to potential mismanagement, emphasizing the need for accountable officers to be present and engaged in financial transactions.
Acosta defended her actions by stating that she received fund utilization reports from Lachica, which bore his signature. However, Gatchalian argued that mere documentation might not suffice to verify the transactions independently. He stressed the importance of an accountable officer's presence to ensure financial transparency and accountability.
Acosta further explained her reliance on Lachica, citing her trust in him as he was designated by Vice President Duterte as the security officer of the OVP. She added that Lachica was tasked with implementing confidential activities on the ground, reinforcing her trust in his handling of funds.
The senators, including Panfilo Lacson and Francis Pangilinan, echoed Gatchalian's concerns, highlighting the fiduciary responsibilities of a special disbursing officer (SDO) in managing funds. They questioned whether Acosta exercised adequate oversight over the funds and emphasized the need for proper documentation, even for confidential activities, to ensure accountability.
Acosta maintained that her role involved fiduciary responsibilities and that the transfer of funds to Lachica constituted her disbursement. However, the senators pointed out that her lack of firsthand knowledge could impede her ability to confirm whether supporting documents accurately reflected the funds' utilization.
The issue of proper accounting and oversight of confidential funds remains a focal point in the ongoing impeachment trial, as senators continue to scrutinize the management of OVP financial resources.
