Acosta claims memory loss on Duterte confidential funds during impeachment trial

MANILA — Gina Acosta, who served as special disbursing officer, told the impeachment court on Wednesday that she has no recollection of confidential funds (CF) distributed to Vice President Sara Duterte while the latter was Davao City mayor between 2019 and 2022.

The testimony came during the resumption of Duterte's impeachment trial, where the handling of discretionary funds has become a focal point of inquiry. Acosta's assertion that she cannot remember the transactions—despite occurring less than a decade ago—has drawn scrutiny from impeachment managers investigating the vice president's fiscal management.

Confidential funds represent a discretionary category of public money allocated to government officials for operational expenses. The funds have featured prominently in questioning about how Duterte administered Davao City's budget during her six-year mayoral tenure before assuming the vice presidency.

The trial continues as impeachment managers seek to establish a timeline and accounting of the disputed disbursements. Acosta's testimony is among several witnesses expected to address questions regarding the allocation and tracking of public resources during the relevant period.