Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said Friday that the recantation of four alleged former bodyguards of ex-Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co would not weaken the plunder complaint against former Speaker Martin Romualdez, as both sides disputed the credibility and significance of the retractions.
Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro defended Commission on Audit (COA) auditor Roderick Wamil on Thursday, saying he consistently stood by his findings on Vice President Sara Duterte’s confidential fund use despite repeated questions from senator-judge Imee Marcos during the impeachment trial.
Malacañang said Thursday that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s order to arrest Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa under an International Criminal Court warrant remains in effect as authorities continue searching for the senator.
A Commission on Audit (COA) auditor told the Senate impeachment court Tuesday that government auditing rules create a presumption that Vice President Sara Duterte used confidential funds for personal benefit after the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) failed to submit documents supporting the liquidation of millions of pesos in such funds.
Malacañang on Wednesday accused allies of Vice President Sara Duterte of spreading speculation that fugitive Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa had been arrested, saying the reports appeared intended to divert attention from the vice president’s impeachment trial.
Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan will testify against Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. before the Sandiganbayan Third Division on Aug. 12 in a case involving an alleged kickback from a supposed ghost project in Pandi, Bulacan.
A Commission on Audit (COA) auditor testified Tuesday that government rules presume confidential funds were used for an accountable officer’s personal benefit when the required liquidation documents are not submitted, a provision the prosecution said could apply to Vice President Sara Duterte.
The BJMP said Duterte arrived at noon and stayed at the facility until 3:20 p.m.
COA auditor Roderick Wamil testified that an acknowledgment receipt signed by “Renan Piatos” showed a payment dated Dec. 27, 2023, even though the OVP’s fourth-quarter 2022 confidential fund covered disbursements from Dec. 21 to 31, 2022.
The Sandiganbayan has rejected the Office of the Ombudsman’s request to remove former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan from a graft case, preventing prosecutors from immediately using him as a state witness against other personalities linked to the alleged flood control anomalies.