Sara Duterte ordered to return P375 million OVP confidential funds

The Commission on Audit has ordered the Office of the Vice President under Sara Duterte to return P375 million in confidential funds.

In a document released by Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon to the media on April 20, the agency issued a notice of disallowance for funds released in three P125 million cash advances in 2023. A notice of disallowance is the disapproval in audit of a transaction, either in whole or in part.

It held accountable Duterte, OVP special disbursement officer Gina Acosta, chief accountant Julieta Villadelrey, and head of the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group Col. Raymund Dante Lachica.

According to COA, the disallowance was over breaches of spending rules, including failure to submit supporting documents evidencing the success of the information gathering and surveillance activities for rewards amounting to P62 million.

The office also failed to submit official receipts or sales invoices for P199 million spent on supplies and provisions of medical and food aid. Instead, they were only supported by acknowledgment receipts.

COA further flagged cash advancements used for reimbursement purposes amounting to P150,000 each from May 18, 2023 to July 5, 2023. According to COA-DBM-DILG-GCG-DND Joint Circular No. 2015-10, cash advance for confidential funds shall not be utilized as reimbursement of expenses before its granted.