OVP, DepEd admit releasing confidential funds to security officers

Metro Manila, Philippines – Vice President Sara Duterte directed the release of millions of pesos in confidential funds from two agencies to security officers, a move questioned by lawmakers during a hearing on Monday, Nov. 25.

Gina Acosta, OVP special disbursing officer, told lawmakers during a public hearing that she released P125 million to Col. Raymund Dante Lachica, commander of the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group, in Dec. 2022.

Meanwhile, Edward Fajarda, DepEd disbursing officer, said he turned over P37.5 million in the first quarter of 2023 to Col. Dennis Nolasco, an agency security officer.

Fajarda also said he personally withdrew P37.5 million thrice and deposited it in a vault.

“The funds passed through me, but all disbursements were handled by Col. Nolasco as he was designated for confidential operations,” he said.

He also said he never interacted with the fund recipients, and only relied on Nolasco’s acknowledgement receipts and other documentary evidence for liquidation.

Some lawmakers questioned the money transfers.

“So you cannot verify the ARs (acknowledgment receipts) you received,” 1-Rider party-list Rep. Rodge Gutierrez said.

House lawmakers then ordered Nolasco’s attendance in the next hearing.

In a chance interview, Duterte did not directly address questions from the media about designating Nolasco to disburse secret funds.

“This is the reason why we don’t like to discuss confidential funds… We will wait for Col. Nolasco,” said Duterte.

Acosta rushed to hospital

The vice president, who took her oath, left the hearing past 6 p.m. after Acosta was rushed to the hospital amid lawmakers’ intense grilling on the OVP fund use.

Acosta was in a wheelchair outside the People’s Center building at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City.

Medical staff brought her to the Veterans Medical Memorial Center in Quezon City, where the vice president’s chief of staff, Zuleika Lopez, has been confined since Saturday.

Duterte attended the inquiry two months after her first appearance in the House panel. Committee members, however, barely asked her during the hearing.