Sara Duterte’s OVP spent confidential funds on Christmas parties, tree-planting

TRIAL. State auditor Xylene Mae del Campo takes the witness stand in Vice President Sara Duterte's trial on August 11, 2026. Senate of the Philippines The said activities were conducted even before the OVP received the confidential funds in 2022 MANILA, Philippines – When the Commission on Audit (COA) slapped the Sara Duterte’s Office of the Vice President with a notice of suspension over its confidential spending, the OVP justified the disbursement by listing activities even before the funds were withdrawn. This was pointed out by the prosecution on Tuesday, August 11, during the direct examination of the prosecution panel’s witness, state auditor Xylene Mae del Campo, before the impeachment court. The OVP encashed its confidential funds for 2022 only on December 20 that year, yet some of the activities listed by Duterte’s office took place from December 13 to 19. These include Christmas parties in Manila and Quezon City, tree-planting activities in Leyte, and a gift-giving activity in Samar. The list was part of OVP’s March 13, 2024 response to the December 13, 2023 notice of suspension issued by the COA against the agency. A notice of suspension suspends disbursement that COA doubts to be regular, and gives an agency 90 days to submit the necessary documents or legal justifications before state auditors issue a notice of disallowance and formally order to return the funds. The government’s joint circular governing confidential spending requires government agencies to submit documents “evidencing the success of the information gathering and/or surveillance activities.” Presiding officer and senator-judge Chiz Escudero asked Del Campo: Could the OVP have listed the said activities prior to December 20 for reimbursement of the funds used at a later date? “Under the joint circular, there is a portion there that says confidential funds cannot be used for reimbursement,” Del Campo said, referring to provision 6.1.2 of Joint Circular No. 2015-01. The COA eventually disallowed P73 million out of the P125 million in confidential funds of the OVP in 2022. – Rappler.com How does this make you feel? Loading