Malacañang on Tuesday said evidence presented by the prosecution in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte has strengthened the case for her conviction, particularly over the alleged misuse of confidential funds.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said testimony from former Office of the Vice President (OVP) special disbursing officer (SDO) Gina Acosta showed that Duterte exercised control over the release of PHP125 million in confidential funds.

Castro made the statement during a Palace press briefing when asked about Acosta’s testimony that she never personally saw Duterte take or keep any of the money she disbursed.

Castro said physically handling the funds was not necessary to establish accountability, noting that Acosta testified that Duterte ordered the release of the entire PHP125 million to her security officer, Col. Raymund Dante Lachica.

“So, ang ibig sabihin nito, ang may command, ang may kontrol ay walang iba kung ‘di si VP Sara (this means that the one who had command and control was none other than VP Sara),” she said.

Castro said the testimony indicated that Duterte could exercise control over the funds through orders even without physically handling the money.

She also said Lachica’s role in implementing the confidential fund should be investigated by the Office of the Ombudsman.

Castro said a neutral agency should determine whether wrongdoing or possible conspiracy occurred in the use of the funds.

She also criticized Acosta’s repeated assertion during the trial that she relied on Lachica for information on the implementation of the confidential funds.

“Dito ay makikita ng sambayanang Pilipino kung paano naging dekahon ang sagot ng witness. Paulit-ulit kahit sa ang daling tanong, doon pa rin at doon at doon ang iikot ang sagot niya (The Filipino people can see how scripted the witness’ answers appeared to be. She repeatedly gave the same answer even to simple questions),” the Palace official said.

Castro also questioned the liquidation of the confidential funds handled by Acosta, saying her testimony indicated difficulties in accounting for the funds.

She stressed that confidential funds remain public funds and must be properly accounted for.

“Kapag hindi naisaayos mabuti at nawawala ng mga dokumento, ang ibig sabihin niyan may prima facie evidence na ito ay nagamit ng personal (If the documents are not properly accounted for and are missing, that means there is prima facie evidence that they were utilized for personal use),” she said.

Asked whether the prosecution had presented enough evidence to merit Duterte’s conviction, Castro said the Palace believed it had, at least on the impeachment article involving the confidential funds.

“Sa ngayon po, ayon sa Palasyo, in a way, yes. Pagdating sa pagturo kay Bise Presidente, kay Col. Lachica na sila ang nag-control ng pondo para sa confidential funds (For now, as far as the Palace is concerned, in a way, yes. As to pointing to the Vice President and Col. Lachica as those who controlled the funds for confidential purposes),” Castro said. (PNA)