The Office of the Vice President (OVP) Special Disbursing Officer (SDO) Gina Acosta confessed to releasing the PHP125 million in confidential funds of the OVP and the Department of Education (DepEd) to Vice President (VP) Sara Duterte’s head security officer.
During the House Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on Monday, Acosta said that the confidential funds were released to the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group (VPSPG) Col. Raymund Dante Lachica, as per the VP’s order.
“Nag inform po ang aking head of agency na i-release ko sa aming security officer. While on the way na ako papuntang office, I called up the security officer informing him na na-encash ko na ang tseke,” Acosta said.
The money was handed over to Col. Lachica the same day it was withdrawn from the bank in 2022. According to Acosta, the money was never placed inside the three vaults inside her office, as the security officer took the money soon after.
Col. Lachica helped Acosta prepare the physical and financial plan related to the confidential activities funded by the office’s confidential funds. The latter said that the officer gave her information on what to draft. However, Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville Luistro stressed that as the office’s SDO, Acosta must prepare the plans herself as it does not bear Col. Lachica’s signature or name.
Consequently, Luistro said the job entails so much trust and confidence, as huge amounts of money are at risk.
“This very significant job, because it entails so much trust and confidence. Because you’re the one in-charge of taking custody of the huge amount of money,” Luistro highlighted.
“As a matter of fact, to ensure the fidelity of this money, ni re-require pa kayo ng fidelity bond. Then do you keep on pointing to Col. Lachica?” she added.
In case the money is misappropriated, gets lost, or goes to the wrong person, Luistro noted that Acosta will be the one held liable.
The Turnover
“Ano ang nagbigay sa inyo ng lakas ng loob na ibigay ang buong P125 million kay Col. Lachica, considering that he is not the accountable officer, because it is you who is the accountable officer,” Luisto asked.
Acosta said that she trusted Col. Lachica with the money because the VP entrusted the security officer with the funds.
“I trust Sir Lachica kasi tina-trust po siya ng aking Head of Office (OVP) na si ma’am Inday Sara (Duterte),” Acosta said.
Without Duterte's instruction, Acosta said she would not hand over the entire PHP 125 million to Col. Lachica. However, being the OVP’s SDO, Luistro pointed out that Acosta is liable for the unauthorized money transfer.
“Are you aware also, na kung itong perang ito ay mapupunta sa mga hindi matitino na government officials, at gagamitin for purpose other than its confidential purpose, you can be held liable for malversation of public funds by negligence?” Luistro inquired.
However, Acosta firmly answered that Duterte authorized the head officer with the money. Thus, leading her to trust the Colonel as well.
“Because may utos po si ma’am Inday Sara na sa kanya ko po i-release kasi siya po ang nakakaalam kung paano ko iimplement ang mga programs and activities in line po sa confidential fund. Siya po ang mag surveillance and monitoring po. Sa kanya po ‘yon wala po akong alam,” Acosta insisted.
Meanwhile, the Department of Education (DepEd) SDO Edward Fajarda mentioned that he handed the confidential funds to Lt. Col. Dennis Nolasco. According to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the security official remains active in service today.
Acosta was later rushed to the hospital after falling ill while the House Committee hearing was ongoing.
