Two Former Disbursing Officers Subpoenaed for Sara Duterte Impeachment Trial

The Senate impeachment court has ordered two former special disbursing officers (SDO) of the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education during Sara Duterte’s tenure as Education chief to testify in Duterte’s impeachment trial. This developed after the Senate impeachment court granted the prosecution panel’s request for subpoena ad testificandum for former OVP SDO Gina Acosta and ex-DepEd SDO Eduard Fajarda. Lead prosecutor Representative Gerville Luistro of Batangas said they are expected to testify within August 10 to 12 trial days. Bank managers Violeta Constantino and Nenita Camposano of state-run Landbank of the Philippines earlier testified that Acosta and Fajarda were the payees of confidential fund cheques that were withdrawn in cash, and such huge cash withdrawals were unusual. State auditor Roderick Wamil also testified that the OVP and DepEd under Duterte’s watch did not submit documentary proof as to the proper disbursement of over P200 million worth of confidential funds. Aside from Acosta and Fajarda, Luistro said the prosecution said it will also field state auditor Xylene Mae del Campo and House of Representatives Legislative Information Resources Management Department director Marivic Pareja as witnesses against the Vice President within August 10 to 12. — RSJ, GMA News