Former OVP official admits transferring confidential funds to unbonded officer

MANILA — A former special disbursing officer at the Office of the Vice President acknowledged Monday that she transferred control of confidential fund disbursements to an Army colonel who was not a bonded officer, raising fresh questions about internal controls at the vice president's office.

Gina Acosta made the admission during questioning, confirming that she delegated disbursement responsibilities for confidential funds to Col. Raymund Dante Lachica despite her awareness that he did not meet bonding requirements typically mandated for handling government funds.

The disclosure adds to ongoing scrutiny of how confidential funds were managed within the OVP during the administration in question. Bonding requirements are standard safeguards designed to protect government resources and ensure accountability in the handling of public money.

According to accounts of the Monday session, Acosta's testimony provided a direct account of the transfer of duties, marking a significant development in investigations into the OVP's financial management practices. The matter has drawn attention from oversight bodies examining whether proper procedures were followed in the administration of confidential funds.

Further details regarding the circumstances of the fund transfer and any subsequent actions taken by relevant authorities remained under review.