‘VP could still be convicted outside impeachment’

MANILA, Philippines — The evidence uncovered on Vice President Sara Duterte’s alleged misuse of confidential funds could still lead to her criminal conviction, according to House prosecution panel spokesman Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong.

He cited as basis the Commission on Audit’s notice of disallowance of P73.287 million in confidential expenses incurred by the Office of the Vice President in December 2022.

Adiong said the COA findings could be used as basis for the filing of criminal cases against the Vice President, adding that the audit development strengthened rather than weakened the prosecution’s assessment of the confidential funds evidence.

“That will only prove that there was really prima facie evidence of misuse of public funds to benefit one’s interest or oneself,” he said.

During the impeachment trial, the prosecution presented witnesses and documents involving acknowledgment receipts, the transfer of confidential funds to security officers and compliance with government rules governing confidential expenditures.

However, the prosecution ultimately decided to drop Article I, along with two other Articles of Impeachment, which Adiong said removed a possible additional route to conviction before the Senate impeachment court.

The prosecution said it only needs one conviction to carry the constitutional consequences it seeks against Duterte and decided to concentrate on Article II, which accused the Vice President of amassing unexplained wealth.