Former OVP special disbursing officer Gina Acosta testified that she released the entire ₱500 million in confidential funds in cash to Col. Raymund Dante Lachica, despite admitting she could not verify how the money was distributed or who actually received it.
Acosta confirmed that several names on acknowledgment receipts were aliases and said she relied largely on Lachica’s reports and explanations because he was designated by Vice President Sara Duterte to implement the confidential activities.
Senator-judges questioned the arrangement, noting that Lachica was not bonded and that some receipts carried questionable names, missing details and apparently identical signatures.
Senate Presiding Officer Chiz Escudero also raised doubts about whether Lachica could have personally distributed funds across more than 100 areas nationwide, suggesting other individuals may have handled the cash without appearing in official records.
The prosecution has yet to decide whether to subpoena Lachica, who remains on its witness list, as the impeachment court continues examining allegations of misuse of confidential funds.
Source: PhilNews24 | August 25, 2026
