With finality: COA affirms disallowance of Sara Duterte’s P73-M confidential funds

VEEP. Vice President Sara Duterte leaves the Quezon City Regional Trial Court on September 5, 2026, after posting bail to the grave threats casefiled against her.

Jire Carreon/Rappler

COA's disallowance covers OVP's P69.78-million spending for rewards, and P3.5-million spending for the purchase of tables, chairs, desktops, computers, and printers

MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Audit (COA) affirmed with finality the disallowance of the Office of the Vice President’s P73-million confidential funds under Vice President Sara Duterte.

“WHEREFORE, the Motion for Reconsideration of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte; Ms. Gina F. Acosta, Special Disbursing Officer; and Ms. Julieta L. Villadelrey, Chief Accountant; all of the Office of the Vice President (OVP), is hereby DENIED. Accordingly, Commission on Audit (COA) Decision No. 2026-171 dated April 10, 2026, which affirmed COA Intelligence and Confidential Funds Audit Office Notice of Disallowance No. 2024-002-100 (2022) dated August 8, 2024, on the confidential expenses of the OVP, for the period from December 21 to 31, 2022, in the amount of P73,287,000.00, is AFFIRMED with FINALITY,” read the COA resolution made public on Wednesday, October 7.

COA issued a notice of disallowance to Duterte’s office over P69.78 million in spending for rewards and P3.5 million for the purchase of tables, chairs, desktop computers and printers. These expenses were made from December 21 to 31, 2022.

A notice of disallowance is issued for expenses which are “illegal, irregular, unnecessary, excessive, extravagant, or expenditure.”

The alleged misuse of confidential funds is among the allegations against Duterte in her ongoing impeachment trial. The House prosecution team has finished presenting its evidence on this article and is currently in the middle of discussing Duterte’s alleged unexplained wealth. – Rappler.com