WATCH: Lawyers Say VP Duterte’s Disbursement Of Funds In A Single Day Incredible, Irregular
Private prosecutor Lorna Kapunan raised the question during the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday, Aug. 11, noting that the special disbursing officer could not be possibly be in different places in one day like “Superman.”
Former Integrated Bar of the Philippines national executive director Antonio Ligon described Office of the Vice President’s disbursement of confidential funds in a single day as “incredible.”
Ligon pointed out in an interview with “The Big Story” on One News on Tuesday, Aug. 11, that the reported disbursement of confidential funds across several locations within a single day would require someone to be “Superman” to accomplish it.
In her testimony before the Senate impeachment court on Tuesday, state auditor Xylene del Campo said Duterte’s confidential funds were used for activities such as parties and tree planting.
Del Campo said these activities do not fall under the allowable uses of confidential funds.
Private prosecutor Lorna Kapunan also raised the question during the trial, noting that the special disbursing officer could not be possibly be in different places in one day like “Superman.”
Del Campo said only SDO Edward Fajarda of the Department of Education, where Duterte served as secretary, was the only official authorized to disburse the funds.
“Kung hindi man Superman ang isang SDO, kaya ba niyang puntahan, sa palagay mo, lahat ng ito?” Kapunan asked Del Campo.
Law professor Lulu Reyes also told “Sa Totoo Lang” on One PH on Tuesday that Fajarda of DepEd and Gina Acosta, the SDO of the OVP, could not possibly for the two agencies’ expenses in a day in different places.
Ligon called the use of names to justify confidential fund disbursements “sloppy.” He said acknowledgment receipts should be backed by affidavits or other proof.
