Why this matters to Filipinos
FMB News connects the verified facts and evidence in this report to the decisions, costs, opportunities, and risks that may affect Filipinos, Philippine communities, and the country.
Editorial standard: Sources are listed below. Verified reporting, attributed claims, uncertainty, and analysis remain distinct.
Verified facts
What happened
Day 18 of Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial put Office of the Vice President confidential-fund procedures under sustained scrutiny as Assistant Secretary and Assistant Chief of Staff Lemuel Ortonio testified as a hostile witness.
According to Philippine News Agency reporting, Ortonio told the impeachment court that Duterte knew about, authorized and supervised the handling of OVP confidential funds from their request through release, spending and liquidation.
What the testimony established
Ortonio also confirmed that the OVP's request for confidential funds was submitted without supporting documents detailing the planned confidential activities at the time of the request. He testified about the movement and liquidation of the funds and the office's responses to audit findings.
House prosecutors described the testimony as material to their allegation of irregularities. Those assertions remain part of the prosecution case and are not a final finding of liability against the Vice President.
Context
Context
The testimony followed the court's decision earlier on August 25 to declare Ortonio a hostile witness, allowing prosecutors to use leading questions. The proceeding concerns allegations over the handling of confidential funds at the OVP and Department of Education.
Filipino relevance
Why this matters
The testimony goes directly to the prosecution's effort to establish who knew about and controlled the use of confidential public funds. The impeachment court must still weigh the testimony, documentary record and defense response before reaching any finding.
What to watch next
What to watch next
The impeachment court is expected to continue examining testimony and documentary evidence. The defense retains the opportunity to challenge the prosecution's interpretation of the records and present its own evidence under the court's rules.