Manila: A Commission on Audit (COA) state auditor testified Tuesday that the Office of the Vice President (OVP), under Vice President Sara Z. Duterte, reported millions of pesos in confidential fund expenses that were either unsupported or outside the allowable uses set by government rules. During the continuation of his testimony before the Senate impeachment court, Roderick Wamil, formerly with the COA Intelligence and Confidential Funds Audit Office, said the findings covered the OVP's PHP375 million in confidential fund cash advances for the first three quarters of 2023.

According to Philippines News Agency, Wamil detailed that the OVP withdrew PHP125 million in full for each quarter. The first- and second-quarter accomplishment reports listed PHP82 million for medical and food aid, and PHP20 million for incentives or travel related to confidential operations. These expenses were not included in the exclusive list of allowable confidential expenses under Joint Circular No. 2015-01. 'If it's not on that list, it is barred from the use of their confidential funds,' Wamil said during direct examination by private prosecutor Lorna Kapunan.

The auditor identified Duterte's signature on all three vouchers by comparing it with specimen signatures the OVP itself had submitted. Wamil said the printed certification above Duterte's signature carried a specific declaration concerning her role in the advances. 'The Vice President certified that her cash advances were according to law and incurred under her direct supervision,' he said.

Wamil testified that the OVP also reported PHP62 million in rewards during the first three quarters of 2023 without submitting evidence linking the payments to successful intelligence or surveillance operations. The OVP reported PHP15 million in rewards from Feb. 6 to March 29, PHP12 million from April 25 to June 30, and PHP35 million from July 14 to Sept. 30. Wamil said the OVP did not submit such evidence for the first two quarters.

'Since they did not submit that document, the payment of rewards was not compliant to the requirements of the joint circular,' Wamil said, still during direct examination. For the third quarter, Wamil noted that the OVP reported PHP35 million in rewards but did not attach a document showing a successful information-gathering or surveillance operation.

Wamil also testified that the OVP charged PHP82 million in medical and food aid against its confidential funds even though such expenses were not allowed under government audit rules. The OVP reported spending PHP42 million for medical and food aid in the first quarter of 2023 and another PHP40 million in the second quarter. These expenses were not among the authorized uses of confidential funds under Joint Circular No. 2015-01.

The prosecution panel continued presenting evidence on the OVP's PHP375 million in confidential fund cash advances for the first three quarters of 2023. The OVP received and fully withdrew PHP125 million per quarter, according to the documents presented in court.