Duterte's Impeachment Deepens: Auditor Flags P448M in Disallowed 'Secret Funds'

On Day 14 of Vice President Sara Duterte impeachment trial, Commission on Audit (COA) Supervising Auditor Xylene Mae del Campo delivered a damning testimony, directly linking Duterte and other officials to a P73 million disallowance from confidential funds in 2022. Del Campo revealed that the total potential liability for misspent 'secret funds' could now reach P448 million, highlighting the unprecedented nature of Duterte's office submitting such liquidation documents for audit in COA-ICFAO's history. The ongoing trial focuses primarily on Article I of the impeachment complaint, alleging the misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds allocated to the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) between late 2022 and late 2023. The prosecution is grappling with over 4,000 acknowledgment receipts, with defense tactics, including refusing to stipulate on these voluminous documents, causing significant delays and raising concerns about adherence to the sub judice rule. This financial scrutiny unfolds amidst broader accusations of unexplained wealth, bribery of DepEd officials, and alleged threats against President Bongbong Marcos and other prominent figures. As the Senate impeachment court presses on, former OVP Special Disbursing Officer Gina Acosta and former DepEd SDO Edward Fajarda are slated to testify next, shedding more light on the actual disbursement of these substantial cash advances. The meticulous, document-by-document examination, prompted by the defense, suggests a long and arduous path ahead, with the outcome potentially reshaping the political landscape of the Philippines and setting a critical precedent for government accountability and transparency.