“Wala po,” Acosta said when asked if she currently had any document showing that Lachica received the confidential funds.
She said she relied on the documents provided by Lachica in preparing the liquidation report that she later submitted to the Commission on Audit (COA).
“Nag-rely po ako kung ano mga dokumentong ibinigay sa akin ng security officer, Your Honor,” Acosta said.
Prosecution counsel Virgil Ligutan questioned Acosta about the absence of documents bearing Lachica’s name and signature to prove that he received the ₱125 million.
Acosta said she had previously asked Lachica about some acknowledgment receipts that did not contain dates, names or signatures.
According to Acosta, Lachica told her: “Ma'am, kung anuman ang binigay ko sa'yo, 'yun na 'yun dahil very sensitive info at confidential.”
Acosta said she also raised the matter in her response to an audit observation memorandum and relied on Lachica’s documents in accounting for the funds.
Ligutan also asked whether Acosta had an official receipt showing that ₱75 million was spent on medical and food aid during the fourth quarter of 2022.
Acosta said she had no official receipts for the amount, only acknowledgment receipts.
Ligutan then questioned whether she found it unusual that she no longer had the documents proving Lachica’s receipt of the funds.
Acosta maintained that the documents had been returned to Lachica after she prepared and submitted the liquidation report to COA.
