Prosec: COA ruling shows VP could still be convicted of confi funds misuse

MANILA, Philippines – A spokesperson for the House prosecution has expressed belief that the evidence against Vice President Sara Z. Duterte’s alleged misuse of confidential funds could still lead to her conviction with the possible initiation of criminal proceedings outside the impeachment trial.  

Trial spokesperson and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong cited the Commission on Audit’s (COA) final action on the notice of disallowance of millions of pesos in the Office of the Vice President’s confidential expenditures.

“Malaki ‘yung possibility na based on the evidence, mukhang makakasecure pa tayo ng conviction on Article 1 sa confidential funds because of the recent decision of the COA,” Alonto Adiong said, referring to the possible criminal proceedings.

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The audit body affirmed with finality the disallowance of P73.287 million in confidential expenses incurred by the OVP in December 2022.

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The COA findings could be used as basis for the filing of criminal cases against the Vice President that could potentially lead to her conviction. 

Alonto Adiong said the audit development strengthened rather than weakened the prosecution’s assessment of the confidential funds evidence.

“Pinapasauli nila [COA] [yung pera]. That will only prove that there was really prima facie evidence of misuse of public funds to benefit one’s interest or oneself,” he said.

During the impeachment trial, the prosecution  presented witnesses and documents involving acknowledgment receipts, the transfer of confidential funds to security officers and compliance with government rules governing confidential expenditures.

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Alonto Adiong, however, acknowledged that dropping Article I removed a possible additional route to conviction before the Senate impeachment court.

The prosecution, however, said it only needs one conviction to carry the constitutional consequences it seeks against Duterte and decided to concentrate on Article II, which accused the vice president of amassing unexplained wealth. 

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“Ayaw natin mapahaba pa ‘yung trial. Enough na talaga na isa lang yung conviction natin sa isang article,” he explained.

The withdrawal means the senator-judges will no longer determine Duterte’s impeachment liability under Article I but a separate audit and other proceedings involving the confidential funds can still continue outside the Senate trial.

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“One conviction is enough, and we also do not want to drag this forever, itong trial na ito,” Alonto Adiong said. /gsg