Office of the Vice President (OVP) Assistant Secretary and Assistant Chief of Staff Lemuel Ortonio testified Tuesday that he personally advanced ₱150,000 from his own pocket to former OVP Special Disbursing Officer Gina Acosta for urgent expenses.
The disclosure came during Day 18 of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial as private prosecutor Atty. Mae Divinagracia questioned Ortonio, who has been declared a hostile witness for the prosecution, about his position, salary and involvement in OVP transactions.
Divinagracia first asked Ortonio whether he was Salary Grade 29 and how much he received in monthly compensation.
Defense counsel Atty. Kristine Ferrer objected, questioning the relevance of the inquiry.
Divinagracia explained that Ortonio’s salary was relevant to assessing his credibility as a witness.
After being directed by Presiding Officer Sen. Chiz Escudero to answer, Ortonio said he was under Salary Grade 29 and earned approximately ₱180,000 to ₱190,000 gross per month.
The questioning then turned to the ₱150,000 he had personally provided to Acosta.
Ortonio confirmed that ₱50,000 was intended for an award amount, while ₱100,000 was intended for supplies needed for urgent expenses.
When asked whether the money had already been reimbursed, Ortonio said it had not.
“Unfortunately, ma’am, I am not reimbursed,” Ortonio said.
Escudero subsequently clarified whether Ortonio had indeed yet to receive reimbursement for the full ₱150,000 he had advanced.
The testimony placed focus on Ortonio’s personal involvement in providing funds for OVP expenses, as prosecutors continued examining the office’s financial procedures and the handling of funds outside the regular disbursement process.
Ortonio is the second hostile witness presented by the prosecution, following Acosta. His designation allows the prosecution to use leading questions during direct examination.
The prosecution is examining Ortonio’s knowledge of the OVP’s operations and the circumstances surrounding its confidential fund requests and expenditures.
The proceedings form part of Article I of Duterte’s impeachment case, which centers on allegations involving the misuse and misappropriation of ₱612.5 million in confidential funds allocated to the OVP and the Department of Education.
