Politics · Philippines Bureau
Prosecutor challenges OVP official's sudden recall of confidential fund details
A prosecution lawyer questioned the credibility of an Office of the Vice President disbursing officer during cross-examination Monday, noting she had claimed memory lapses about confidential funds hours earlier. The challenge highlighted inconsistencies in testimony regarding Davao City discretionary spending from 2019 to 2022.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA – During cross-examination of Office of the Vice President special disbursing officer Gina Acosta on Monday, prosecutor Amando Ligutan pressed the witness on apparent contradictions in her recollection of confidential fund transactions. Ligutan highlighted that Acosta had testified to limited memory of details concerning Davao City confidential funds spanning 2019 to 2022 earlier in the day, only to recall specifics during subsequent questioning.
The exchange underscored mounting challenges to the credibility of testimony in the ongoing investigation into OVP fund management. Acosta's shifting account of her knowledge regarding the confidential fund disbursements raised questions about the reliability of her statements to the court.
The cross-examination forms part of broader proceedings examining the handling of discretionary funds by the vice president's office. Ligutan's line of questioning suggests the prosecution intends to scrutinize inconsistencies in witness statements as it builds its case regarding the management and accountability of public resources.