VP Sara camp taps intel experts to explain confidential funds issue if trial proceeds

Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte attends the HOR Committee hearing on Good Governance and Public Accountability at the Batasan Pambansa in Quezon City on November 25, 2024, tackling the Php 612.5 million confidential fund expenses of the OVP and the DepEd under the helm of VP Duterte. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday explained some of the issues she was expecting to be tackled in her impeachment trial, including the controversial "recipients" of her offices' confidential funds supposedly discovered by lawmakers. 

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Speaking from outside the International Criminal Court (ICC) detention center in The Hague, Netherlands, Duterte said that these matters "can be very much addressed during trial."

The Vice President cautioned the public against believing pronouncements from members of the House of Representatives, specifically regarding the "fictitious names."

She explained that "there are rules in intelligence operations" and that "aliases are often used in intelligence operations."

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When pressed if this meant the names were indeed aliases, she reiterated that such details would be "discussed during the trial," adding that she did not wish to elaborate on intelligence operations.

She noted that two intelligence experts from their side would serve as resource persons during the trial.

She assured the public that her lawyers are actively "preparing for the trial and collecting pieces of evidence and gathering affidavits from witnesses that they will present."

If no trial occurs, she would then address the matter publicly.

NEW SPOKES TO  REPORT 'ONLY GOOD NEWS'

Meanwhile, Duterte also detailed the scope of the role of her office's new spokesperson Ruth Castelo, whose appointment was announced Wednesday.

Duterte clarified that Castelo "will not be the attack dog" of the OVP.

"Because her job is for the institution, it's for the Office of the Vice President. It's not political, it's not for me, so that is why she will only bring good news, accomplishments, and announcements of the OVP," she said.

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She also deferred to Castelo why the OVP would new employees after the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) increased their proposed 2026 budget to P903 million from the P733 million they requested.

"It is best the OVP already has a spokesperson, and she has been allowed to discuss matters about everything about the office, so let's just direct the questions to her when she does her presscon. She will conduct regular presscons," Duteete said.

'WE DO NOT COUNT OUR EXPENSES'

Duterte was also asked about the cost of her family's visits to former President Rodrigo Duterte over the past three months following his arrest and detention.

"We do not count our expenses in providing support to former President Rodrigo Duterte," she said.

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"But for our travel, we each cover our own expenses; we don't take from a common fund, we each find our own resources to visit," she added.

Duterte was arrested in Manila on March 11, flown to the Netherlands that same night and has been held at the ICC's detention unit at Scheveningen Prison since.

The 80-year-old’s defense team has filed a motion for his interim release.

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