Despite the defense team’s assertion that confidential funds must remain undisclosed, the money is drawn from taxpayer income, the prosecution team pointed out, and so must be subject to audit.

“Kung gustong sabihin ng defense, ‘Confidential ‘yan, confidential funds, kaya kailangan, confidential din ang information kung saan ginastos ‘yan.’ Ay mali po iyon. Hindi ibig sabihin ng confidential funds ay hindi ka na accountable,” private prosecutor Atty. Lorna Patajo-Kapunan said during a press conference.

The veteran lawyer argued that the funds having been granted to Duterte by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. through national budget allocations does not exempt these from proper audit.

“Sinasabi nga nila, ‘Grinant ‘yan ng President. This was granted by the President to the Office of the Vice President.’ Hindi naman ibig sabihin porket nasa grant ‘yan, nasa budget ‘yan, ay hindi na maga-account. All the more na mag-account ka,” she stressed.

The funds are not Duterte’s own personal money, Patajo-Kapunan reasoned.

“Kasi talagang by that nature, alam mo na hindi naman pera mo ‘yan, nanggaling ‘yan sa budget: mag-account ka. So it is wrong to say confidential and therefore hindi na kailangan malaman ng publiko kung saan ginamit ang funds na ‘to. That is wrong,” she said.