OVP official pressed on rapid disbursal of P125 million fund

MANILA – Lemuel Ortonio, Assistant Chief of Staff of the Office of the Vice President, faced probing questions about the rapid release of P125 million in public funds during a recent proceeding. Prosecution counsel Mae Divinagracia directly asked Ortonio whether it was accurate that the funds were disbursed within a span of just 11 days, a timeline that raised eyebrows about the standard procedures governing such large financial transactions.

The question underscored ongoing scrutiny into the Office of the Vice President's financial management and expenditure practices. The rapid disbursement timeline became a focal point in clarifying how public resources were allocated and whether proper protocols were observed during the process.

Ortonio's initial response to the inquiry appeared evasive, according to accounts of the questioning, as he initially hesitated to directly confirm the timeframe for the fund's release. The exchange highlighted tensions between accountability mechanisms and the OVP's operational practices.

The matter forms part of broader investigations into the Vice President's office and its handling of government funds, a topic that has drawn considerable attention from legislative bodies and the public in recent months.