The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte entered its 11th day on Monday with proceedings shifting to the audit phase, as prosecution witnesses from the Commission on Audit (COA) prepared to testify on the use of ₱612.5 million in confidential funds of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd).
According to Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre, the COA witnesses are expected to explain how the audit was conducted, how liquidation documents were reviewed, and whether the submitted records complied with government rules governing confidential funds.
The prosecution is expected to first present former COA State Auditor Roderick Wamil and Supervising Auditor Celine May Del Campo of the Intelligence and Confidential Funds Audit Office. They will be followed by House Legislative Information Resources Management Department Director Marivic Pareja.
During the proceedings, the COA witnesses are also expected to discuss the commission’s directive requiring the return of ₱73.287 million in confidential funds released to the Office of the Vice President in 2022.
The testimony will also cover alleged irregularities identified in the liquidation documents submitted in connection with the confidential funds.
The audit phase marks a new stage in the impeachment trial, with prosecutors focusing on the findings of state auditors regarding the handling, documentation, and liquidation of confidential funds. Testimony from the COA officials is expected to provide information on the audit process and the commission’s observations related to the questioned expenditures and supporting documents presented for liquidation.
The impeachment proceedings continue as scheduled, with additional witnesses expected to testify in the succeeding hearings.
