Gatchalian questions OVP fund accountability in impeachment trial

Floyd Brenz., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
August 24, 2026

Photo Courtesy: Win Gatchalian

MANILA – Senate President Win Gatchalian questioned how the Office of the Vice President could independently account for its confidential funds after former special disbursing officer Gina Acosta admitted she did not personally witness the distribution of the money.

During the 17th day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, Gatchalian asked Acosta how she could determine whether funds released to then-security officer Col. Raymund Dante Lachica were properly used when she was not present during the actual payouts.

Acosta said she relied on fund utilization reports submitted by Lachica as documentation for the transactions.

Gatchalian, however, questioned whether the reports could independently verify how the funds were actually spent, raising the possibility that the documents could have been falsified or altered.

Acosta pointed to Lachica’s signature on the utilization reports as proof of the transactions.

Gatchalian maintained that an accountable officer’s responsibility goes beyond receiving signed documents, emphasizing the need to ensure that public funds were properly accounted for.

Acosta said she trusted Lachica because he was designated by Duterte as the OVP security officer and was tasked with implementing confidential activities on the ground.

She also said she did not raise concerns with Duterte about releasing the funds to Lachica, noting that the Vice President herself had issued the office order designating him to the position.

Acosta later testified that Duterte instructed her to release the confidential funds to Lachica after the checks were encashed so he could carry out confidential activities, a process she said was followed in succeeding quarters.