Former Office of the Vice President (OVP) Special Disbursing Officer (SDO) Gina Acosta said Monday that the OVP had no confidential funds allocated for 2026, prompting House private prosecutor Amando Ligutan to question how Vice President Sara Duterte was able to conduct a tree-planting activity this year.
The exchange took place during the 17th day of Duterte’s impeachment trial before the Senate sitting as an impeachment court.
Ligutan asked Acosta whether the OVP had confidential funds this year, citing Duterte’s Aug. 13 tree-planting activity at Masibay Integrated School in Nunungan, Lanao del Norte.
Acosta answered that the OVP had no confidential funds in 2026: “Wala po, your honor.”
Ligutan then pointed out that Duterte was still able to conduct the activity despite the absence of confidential funds, referring to it as having been carried out “with God’s blessing” and without any untoward incident.
“And despite the absence of confidential funds god’s blessing nakapag-tree planting ang vice president,” the House prosecutor said.
Defense lawyer Lindon Miguel Bacquel objected, arguing that the activity occurred in 2026 and was not covered by the articles of impeachment.
“This is for 2026. The question pertains to an activity in 2026 which is not covered by the articles of impeachment.”
Ligutan said his point was to establish that the tree-planting activity could still be conducted despite the lack of confidential funds.
“The point is there was no confidential funds allocated and the vice president was able to conduct one.”
Presiding Officer Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero clarified that Ligutan was trying to establish that activities previously included in the liquidation of confidential funds, including alleged free rides associated with tree-planting activities, could still be carried out even without such funds.
Escudero then allowed Acosta to answer, noting that she had served as special disbursing officer for the confidential funds.
Asked whether she knew how the 2026 tree-planting activity was funded, Acosta said she did not know.
The prosecution has been questioning Acosta about the alleged use and liquidation of confidential funds under Duterte’s tenure as vice president. The impeachment proceedings are focused on allegations covered by the articles of impeachment.
