The Senate impeachment court continues hearing Article I of the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday, August 4, focusing on the alleged misuse and misappropriation of confidential funds.
The House prosecution panel is expected to resume its direct examination of its third witness, Roderick Wamil, a former state auditor of the Commission on Audit's Intelligence and Confidential Funds Audit Office (COA-ICFAO). Wamil is expected to provide testimony related to the audit of the Office of the Vice President's confidential fund expenditures.
Following the prosecution's questioning, the defense is expected to conduct its cross-examination, with senator-judges also likely to raise clarificatory questions before the proceedings move forward.
Day 12 of Impeachment Trial Begins
The Senate impeachment court formally opens the 12th day of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte with 19 senator-judges present for the proceedings.
Senator Robin Padilla leads the opening prayer, asking for God's wisdom as the court continues hearing the case. “Panginoon namin, hinihingi po namin ang inyong talino sa oras na ito... ibinigay po sa amin ang pinakamabigat na obligasyon upang makapagbigay ng hustisya,” Padilla says.
Senate Impeachment court congratulates Alex Eala
Before resuming the 12th day of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, the Senate impeachment court unanimously congratulates Alex Eala for her championship victory at the Mubadala DC Open.
Presiding Officer Francis Escudero says that despite the opposing sides in the impeachment proceedings, everyone is united in celebrating Eala's achievement. “Nais po naming ipabatid ang aming nagkakaisang pagbati kay Binibining Alex Eala sa kanyang panalo at kampeonato sa DC Open,” Escudero says.
Impeachment Court Denies Prosecution’s Request for Recess
The Senate impeachment court denies the prosecution’s request for a brief recess before the direct examination resumes on Tuesday.
House private prosecutor Atty. Lorna Kapunan says the panel needs time to identify and cross-check the 845 acknowledgment receipts that the defense declined to stipulate during Monday’s proceedings. Following the court’s denial, the prosecution proceeds with the direct examination of former Commission on Audit state auditor Roderick Wamil.
Prosecution Continues Presenting Evidence in VP Duterte Impeachment Trial
The prosecution continues presenting evidence in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte through the testimony of former Commission on Audit state auditor Roderick Wamil.
Wamil tells the Senate impeachment court that the acknowledgment receipts presented in evidence bear the notation “Certified True Copy” and the signature of Davin Baccay, an administrative staff member of the Commission on Audit–Intelligence and Confidential Funds Audit Office (COA-ICFAO). The documents form part of the prosecution’s evidence on the alleged irregularities in the Office of the Vice President’s confidential funds.
Wamil explains significance of VP Duterte’s signature on disbursement vouchers
Former Commission on Audit state auditor Roderick Wamil tells the Senate impeachment court that Vice President Sara Duterte’s signatures on the disbursement vouchers certify that the cash advances were necessary, lawful, and incurred under her direct supervision.
Responding to a question from House private prosecutor Atty. Lorna Kapunan, Wamil says, “Based on these documents po, cinertify ni Vice President na ‘yung kanyang cash advances ay kailangan, naayon sa batas, at na-incur po under her direct supervision.”
The vouchers are among the documents being presented by the prosecution in the twelfth day of Duterte’s impeachment trial.
Wamil flags alleged violations in OVP confidential fund expenses
Former Commission on Audit state auditor Roderick Wamil testifies that several expenses listed in the Office of the Vice President’s accomplishment reports allegedly violated the rules governing the use of confidential funds.
He says some expenditures—including medical and food aid, as well as incentives and rewards—are not among the allowable expenses under Joint Circular 2015-01 and were allegedly unsupported by sufficient documentation. Wamil’s testimony is presented as the prosecution continues to build its case in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Wamil Says two OVP expenses were not allowable under COA rules
Former Commission on Audit state auditor Roderick Wamil testifies that two items listed in the Office of the Vice President’s 2023 accomplishment report were not allowable confidential fund expenses under Joint Circular 2015-01.
Asked by House private prosecutor Atty. Lorna Kapunan whether this meant the expenses were prohibited, Wamil replies that the list of allowable confidential expenses under Item 4.8 is exclusive, making any expense not included in the list ineligible for confidential funds. His testimony forms part of the prosecution’s presentation of evidence in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Wamil says OVP lacked supporting documents for ₱82 Million in aid expenses
Former Commission on Audit state auditor Roderick Wamil testifies that the Office of the Vice President failed to provide the required supporting documents for ₱82 million in confidential fund expenditures on medical and food aid in the first half of 2023.
According to Wamil, the questioned amounts consist of ₱42 million spent in the first quarter and ₱40 million in the second quarter. His testimony is part of the prosecution’s presentation of evidence in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte over the alleged misuse of confidential funds.
Defense objects to ‘copy-paste’ remark during Wamil testimony
A brief exchange interrupts the twelfth day of the impeachment trial after House private prosecutor Atty. Lorna Kapunan describes a document as “copy-paste” during the testimony of former Commission on Audit state auditor Roderick Wamil.
Wamil explains that the document was “proforma” and followed the format annexed to Joint Circular 2015-01, prompting Kapunan to remark, “Ang tawag ko dun copy paste.” Defense counsel Atty. Michael Poa objects to the characterization, after which Kapunan withdraws the remark, saying, “I withdraw, Your Honor, I just couldn’t resist myself.”
Wamil explains difference between AOM, Notice of Suspension, and Notice of Disallowance
Former Commission on Audit state auditor Roderick Wamil explains the distinctions between an Audit Observation Memorandum (AOM), a Notice of Suspension (NS), and a Notice of Disallowance (ND) during the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
He says an AOM is issued to identify deficiencies and allow an agency to explain or submit additional supporting documents, while a Notice of Suspension is issued when the explanations or evidence provided are insufficient.
Wamil adds that a Notice of Disallowance applies to disbursements deemed illegal, irregular, or improper.
Wamil says OVP failed to submit documents supporting ₱102 Million in expenses
Former Commission on Audit state auditor Roderick Wamil testifies that the Office of the Vice President failed to submit supporting documents for several expenses cited in the Commission on Audit’s Audit Observation Memorandum (AOM).
He says the questioned expenditures include ₱82 million for medical and food aid and ₱20 million for incentives or travel-related expenses during the first and second quarters of 2023. Wamil also testifies that these expenses were not among the allowable confidential fund expenditures under Joint Circular 2015-01.
Wamil says DepEd submitted no list of program beneficiaries
Former Commission on Audit state auditor Roderick Wamil testifies that the Department of Education did not submit a list of communities that supposedly benefited from programs funded through confidential funds.
Responding to House private prosecutor Atty. Lorna Kapunan, Wamil says no list was provided to support the reported ₱30 million spent on community participation initiatives aimed at increasing the reporting of abuses against children. His testimony forms part of the prosecution’s presentation of evidence in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Kapunan’s exchange with Wamil on Poa draws laughter in Impeachment Court
A light moment occurred during the 12th day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial after House private prosecutor Atty. Lorna Kapunan asked state auditor Roderick Wamil if he personally knew defense lawyer Atty. Michael Poa.
Wamil said he recognized Poa from the news, prompting Kapunan’s remark, “Hindi mo siya nakikita in person? Ayan oh!” which drew laughter from the Senate impeachment court.
Wamil later confirmed that Poa introduced himself during a meeting involving the Department of Education and Office of the Vice President’s confidential fund liquidation.
Wamil says DepEd submitted no list of schools for anti-recruitment program
Former Commission on Audit state auditor Roderick Wamil testifies that the Department of Education did not submit a list of specific schools that benefited from its reported program to prevent the recruitment of students by the New People’s Army (NPA), communist, and leftist groups.
Wamil says DepEd reported spending ₱9.375 million for confidential operations, including information purchases, rewards, supplies, and incentives or travel-related expenses.
His testimony comes after House private prosecutor Atty. Lorna Kapunan questioned the lack of documentation identifying the schools covered by the program.
Defense set to cross-examine Wamil after lunch break
The Senate impeachment court suspends proceedings for a lunch break after House private prosecutor Atty. Lorna Kapunan concludes her direct examination of former Commission on Audit state auditor Roderick Wamil on Article I of the impeachment case.
The defense panel, led by Atty. Michael Poa, is set to begin its cross-examination of Wamil when the trial resumes at 1:15 p.m. Presiding Officer Sen. Chiz Escudero declares the court in recess as senators, prosecution, and defense take their break.
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