The Commission on Audit (COA) has ordered Vice President Sara Duterte and several officials to return a total of ₱448 million in disallowed confidential funds, following new audit findings covering transactions from 2022 and 2023.

In a Notice of Disallowance dated March 31, 2026, COA directed Duterte and other accountable officers to refund ₱375 million tied to confidential expenses released between February and September 2023. The amount stemmed from three separate cash advances of ₱125 million each.

This is on top of an earlier ₱73 million disallowance involving confidential funds from 2022, bringing the total amount ordered for return to ₱448 million.

Also named in the order were Special Disbursing Officer Gina Acosta, Chief Accountant Julieta Villadelrey, and Col. Raymund Dante Lachica, Duterte’s former security chief, who were all instructed to jointly return the funds.

COA flagged several irregularities in its findings, including questionable handling of cash advances, failure to substantiate confidential operations, and the release of funds to unauthorized individuals. The audit body said these deficiencies violated existing rules on the use and liquidation of confidential funds.

The disallowance adds to ongoing scrutiny over the use of confidential and intelligence funds by government offices, with lawmakers and watchdogs calling for stricter transparency and accountability measures.