Marilyn Cahatol

Former Office of the Vice President (OVP) Special Disbursing Officer (SDO) Gina Acosta answers questions from prosecution private counsel Atty. Amando Ligutan during direct examination on the 17th day of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte at the Senate in Pasay City on Monday, August 24, 2026. Acosta is expected to testify on matters related to her duties and responsibilities as a special disbursing officer of the OVP. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

VP Sara Impeachment

Allison Co

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178756258510420260824-senate-vp-sara-impeachment-day17-MT15.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Former Office of the Vice President (OVP) Special Disbursing Officer (SDO) Gina Acosta answers questions from prosecution private counsel Atty. Amando Ligutan during direct examination on the 17th day of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte at the Senate in Pasay City on Monday, August 24, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News "/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Former Office of the Vice President (OVP) Special Disbursing Officer (SDO) Gina Acosta answers questions from prosecution private counsel Atty. Amando Ligutan during direct examination on the 17th day of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte at the Senate in Pasay City on Monday, August 24, 2026. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Following the conclusion of the testimony of the prosecution’s first hostile witness, Gina Acosta, on Monday, August 24, the House prosecution described her responses as “evasive and safe.”</p><p>“Ibang Acosta ang nakita namin sa Committee, sa House. Ibang Acosta ito ngayong nahaharap sa Senado,” House prosecutor Rep. Keith Flores said, pointing to the contrast between Acosta’s answers before the House last November and her responses before the Senate now.</p><p>“Yung kanyang demeanor, yung kanyang statement, kanyang response sa question eh less talk, less mistake siguro,” House trial adviser Ace Barbers added. “Takot siya na if she makes a statement and then i-probe pa ito deeper, baka magkamali.”</p><p>Flores also noted that Acosta <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/24/acosta-says-she-relied-on-lachica-documents-to-verify-ovp-confidential-fund-use-1309">repeatedly fell back on a single response</a>, pointing to Col. Raymund Lachica.</p><p>“Parang may binabalikan siyang answer lang, isa lang. Binigay namin kay Lachica kasi siya may alam,” Flores said.</p><p>“The best way to evade a question is to stick with a line, siguro yun ang kanyang way of replying nang sa ganun hindi na madagdagan pa siguro yung mga tanong,” Barbers said.</p><p>In a post-trial briefing, House prosecutor Joel Chua also noted how senator judges have the same observations.</p><p>“Obvious naman yung mga sagot niya eh, de kahon… Iisa lang sagot niya… Kung mapapansin niyo, napansin din ng mga senador. In fact, kung hindi ako nagkakamali si Sen. Tito Sotto ang nagsabi na ang sagot may template,” Chua added.</p><p>Following Acosta’s testimony, House prosecutor Terry Ridon said he believes the witness could face legal liability and imprisonment, arguing that her testimony allegedly shows gross violations in the disbursement of confidential funds—including the lack of supporting documents and the transfer of funds to Lachica, who was not the accountable officer.</p><p>“Maraming pagkukulang, maraming lapses, maraming aktwal na direktang pananagutan si Ms. Acosta but again ang posisyon ko rito, hindi pwedeng ordinaryong kawani ang nakukulong… dapat kasama si Vice President Sara Duterte,” Ridon said.</p><div><a class="fr-strong fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/24/ovp-staff-member-acosta-s-testimony-raises-more-questions-for-ex-security-chief-lachica-1600">WRAP: OVP staff member Acosta’s testimony raises more questions for ex-security chief Lachica</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="960" height="540" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aDN4yt7uweE?si=h7vamNGstZhnL78Y" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>Following the conclusion of the testimony of the prosecution’s first hostile witness, Gina Acosta, on Monday, August 24, the House prosecution described her responses as “evasive and safe.”</p>

Following the conclusion of the testimony of the prosecution’s first hostile witness, Gina Acosta, on Monday, August 24, the House prosecution described her responses as “evasive and safe.”

'Ibang Acosta sa Senado': Prosecution says hostile witness appears evasive, can face legal liability

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

BINI

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Nation

'Ibang Acosta sa Senado': Prosecution says hostile witness appears evasive, can face legal liability

Allison Co,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 24, 2026 05:28 PM PHT

Read More:

VP Impeachment

Prosecution

Gina Acosta

Sara Duterte

Duterte impeachment

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

Haven't received our newsletter?

Check your inbox to verify and confirm your subscription.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.