Former Office of the Vice President (OVP) Special Disbursing Officer (SDO) Gina Acosta said she did not know why Vice President Sara Duterte chose her to handle confidential funds despite having no formal training in confidential operations.
The statement took place Monday, August 24, during Day 17 of Duterte’s impeachment trial, as private prosecutor Atty. Amando Ligutan questioned Acosta about her educational background and qualifications for the position.
Ligutan asked Acosta what college degree she had completed.
“Customs administration, Your Honor,” Acosta answered.
She said she earned the degree from a school in Davao and did not take a licensure examination.
Ligutan then questioned why Acosta was appointed as an SDO despite her admission that she had no knowledge or training in confidential activities.
The line of questioning was later clarified by Senate President Pro Tempore Chiz Escudero, who was presiding over the impeachment proceedings.
Escudero asked why Acosta was selected to handle confidential funds for both the OVP and Davao City if she had no training in confidential operations.
Acosta responded candidly:
“Hindi ko alam, Your Honor, bakit ako po ang kinuha ng Bise Presidente as SDO.”
The testimony placed renewed focus on how Acosta came to serve as an accountable officer for confidential funds, including large cash releases that became central to the prosecution’s questioning.
Acosta previously testified about the handling and liquidation of confidential funds allegedly released to Col. Raymund Dante Lachica for field operations. She has also said that she did not personally witness several of the alleged cash distributions reflected in acknowledgment receipts because Lachica was responsible for conducting the confidential activities on the ground.
The prosecution has been examining Acosta’s qualifications, responsibilities and knowledge of the transactions as it seeks to establish how confidential funds were disbursed and accounted for under the OVP.
The proceedings form part of Article I of the impeachment case against Duterte, which alleges the misuse of ₱612.5 million in confidential funds allocated to the OVP and the Department of Education.
