Office of the Vice President (OVP) Assistant Chief of Staff Lemuel Ortonio was declared a hostile witness today, following the appearance of the former special disbursing officer, Gina Acosta, in the Senate Impeachment Court.

As a hostile witness (or a witness who has opposite interests with the prosecution), the rules of the court allow the prosecution to ask him leading questions, or questions answerable by yes or no.

The court is continuously discussing Article I, which centers on the alleged misuse of confidential funds of the Vice President.

During the direct examination with private prosecutor Atty. Mae Divinagracia, Ortonio confirmed that the OVP has no confidential funds during the term of the former Vice President and incumbent Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo; that is the reason behind requesting confidential funds from the Office of the President through the Department of Budget and Management.

“Noong 2022, dahil wala kayong dinatnan na confidential funds sa pag-upo mo kasama ng pag-upo ng Vice President Sara Duterte. Tama ba?” Atty. Divinagracia asked

“Yes, ma'am,” Ortionio said

Ortionio also confirmed that when the OVP submitted the request for confidential funds to the DBM in August 2022, the physical and financial plan was not yet included. The plan was submitted later on September 16, 2022.

With reports from Rosalie Coz