House private prosecutor Amando Ligutan questioned former Office of the Vice President (OVP) Special Disbursing Officer Gina Acosta over the role of former Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group (VPSPG) commander Col. Raymund Dante Lachica in preparing the plan and identifying the intended use of confidential funds.
During the impeachment trial on Monday, Ligutan referred to Acosta’s testimony before the House Committee on Good Government and Accountability on November 25, 2024, where she said that Lachica provided the “inputs” or guidelines on the confidential activities to be reflected in the OVP’s Physical and Financial Plan.
Acosta identified Lachica as the former commanding officer of the OVP’s security group and its security officer.
Ligutan then asked whether the same Lachica also provided Acosta with the list of “object of expenditures” indicating how the confidential funds would be used.
After initially saying she was confused by the question, Acosta confirmed that Lachica provided the list of object of expenditures, based on her previous testimony.
“Object of expenditures. Yes, Your Honor,” Acosta said.
Ligutan then questioned whether the preparation of the plan and the detailed identification of the object of expenditures should have been Acosta’s responsibility as the OVP’s Special Disbursing Officer and project accountable officer.
“Isn’t it po, na yung paggawa, pagpreprepara ng plano, at saka yung pagdedetalye ng object of expenditures, hindi po ba trabaho niyo yun bilang special disbursing officer, being the project accountable officer?” Ligutan asked.
The defense objected to the question, arguing that it was “compound and argumentative.”
The objection was overruled, allowing Acosta to answer.
Ligutan’s line of questioning sought to clarify the extent of Lachica’s involvement in determining the activities and expenditures for the OVP’s confidential funds, as well as Acosta’s responsibilities as the designated Special Disbursing Officer.
