Former OVP special disbursing officer Gina Acosta testified that ₱500 million in confidential funds was released to former Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group chief Col. Raymund Dante Lachica, despite him not being a bonded accountable officer as required under government rules.
Acosta said she released the funds because Vice President Sara Duterte had designated Lachica to implement confidential activities, while she remained responsible for liquidating the money.
She also admitted that some liquidation documents lacked basic details, that she did not personally witness the alleged recipients receive the funds, and that some names listed were aliases.
Senator-judges questioned the unusual documentation and Acosta’s reliance on Lachica’s submissions, while Sen. Raffy Tulfo criticized her for what he described as “blind loyalty.”
The prosecution is considering asking the Senate impeachment court to subpoena Lachica as it continues presenting evidence on the first impeachment charge involving Duterte’s alleged misuse of confidential funds.
Source: PhilNews24 | August 25, 2026
