Former OVP officer's testimony key evidence in Duterte fund misuse case

MANILA — Bicol representative Terry Ridon, serving as a member of the House prosecution team, characterized last week's testimony by Gina Acosta as "one of the smoking guns" demonstrating improper use of confidential funds at the Office of the Vice President.

Acosta, who served as a special disbursing officer in the OVP, provided testimony that prosecutors regard as significant in their case against Vice President Duterte. The statement from the former official has been cited as substantive evidence by lawmakers investigating allegations of financial irregularities within the office.

Ridon's assessment reflects mounting scrutiny of the Vice President's office's handling of discretionary funds. The investigation centers on the accounting and deployment of confidential operating expenses allocated to the OVP, with questions raised about transparency and proper documentation of expenditures.

The testimony comes amid broader congressional scrutiny of how various government offices utilize confidential funds, a category of spending typically subject to limited public disclosure requirements. Prosecutors have indicated that Acosta's account provides documentary support for their allegations regarding fund mismanagement.