Auditor: OVP used confidential funds for Christmas parties, tree planting

A state auditor testified on Tuesday, August 11, that the Office of the Vice President used confidential funds for activities like Christmas parties, tree planting, and gift-giving, which are not permitted under government rules. The testimony came during the 14th day of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Commission on Audit auditor Xylene Mae del Campo told the Senate impeachment court that the OVP's listed activities for December 2022, including a partners' appreciation night, thanksgiving events, and medical missions, did not qualify as confidential operations under Joint Circular No. 2015-01. "Based on the enumeration of where confidential funds should be used, this is not included," del Campo stated during cross-examination by private prosecutor Lorna Kapunan. The auditor confirmed that none of the activities read from the OVP's liquidation reports were allowable uses of confidential funds, which are defined as a lump sum for an agency's confidential activities.

Del Campo also highlighted a timing discrepancy. Some of the reported activities occurred between December 13 and 18, 2022, but the OVP's cash advance for those funds was only released on December...