Manila: The House prosecution panel has presented 15 boxes of documentary evidence in the Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, focusing on allegations of misusing PHP612.5 million in confidential funds. This development marks a significant step in the trial, as thousands of records are set to be examined.
According to Philippines News Agency, Lawyer Lorna Kapunan, representing the House prosecutors, provided the impeachment court with an overview of the documentary evidence related to Article I of the complaint. Before calling their first witness from the Commission on Audit (COA), Kapunan emphasized the substantial volume of confidential fund records, stating, "Lastly, Your Honors, please, as you can see in front of you, we have 15 boxes, 15 boxes of confidential fund [records]."
The records include liquidation documents from the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) submitted to the COA. These documents pertain to PHP500 million in OVP confidential funds for the fourth quarter of 2022 and the first three quarters of 2023, as well as PHP112.5 million in DepEd confidential funds for the first three quarters of 2023.
Kapunan announced that former COA Intelligence and Confidential Funds Audit Office state auditor Roderick Wamil would testify to identify 50 exhibits, comprising 3,664 documents and 3,617 acknowledgment receipts. To expedite the proceedings, Kapunan requested the impeachment court to stipulate common exhibits presented by both the prosecution and the defense, involving 31 common exhibits for the OVP and 19 for the DepEd.
Vice President Duterte's counsel, Lawyer Michael Poa, requested a recess to review the proposed stipulations, citing the extensive nature of the documents and the need to ensure the protection of their client's rights. Senator-judge Francis Escudero, the presiding officer, approved the request in the interest of streamlining the proceedings.
The records are anticipated to include liquidation documents scrutinized during the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability's 2024 inquiry into Duterte's confidential funds. This investigation revealed acknowledgment receipts with names such as 'Mary Grace Piattos,' 'Milky Sekuya,' and 'Kokoy Villamin,' which the prosecution claims were fabricated to justify disbursements. Additionally, Philippine Statistics Authority certifications and National Bureau of Investigation findings suggest discrepancies in the recipient names and potential forgery of signatures on certain receipts.
