Residential Fires August, 2026

This is a reported list of residential fires in the Philippines for August, 2026. The Bureau of Fire Protection is on record saying the fire codes does not apply to residential areas which is why so many of them go up in flames during a fire. Being made of light materials all it takes is one spark to cause massive devastation. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2275543/11-month-old-among-5-dead-in-caloocan-city-fire-on-sunday

Five individuals, including an 11-month old infant, died in a residential fire in Caloocan City early Sunday morning, the Caloocan City Fire Station confirmed.

The fire was reported at 1:01 a.m. in a two-storey apartment with six units at Sinilyasi St., Barangay 8, Caloocan City. 

Five minutes later, the fire was raised to first alarm, then was put out at 2:04 a.m.

Apart from the five who died, the blaze affected around 15 individuals or six families living in the apartment units, the fire station reported.

The cause of the fire has yet to be determined.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2275643/pwd-dead-as-fire-destroys-6-houses-in-lucena-city

A 21-year-old person with a disability (PWD) died Sunday, Aug. 2, when a fire destroyed his house in this capital city of Quezon province.

The Lucena City police said the fire broke out at around 6 a.m. in a residential area in the coastal village of Dalahican.

The blaze destroyed six houses, all made of light materials. Responding firefighters managed to put it out about an hour later.

However, firefighters and residents recovered the body of an occupant from one of the burned houses.

The victim was identified only as “Jayjay,” 21, and was described in the police report as a PWD. The report did not specify the nature of his disability.

Authorities estimated the property damage at around P100,000, noting that an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the blaze.

https://mb.com.ph/2026/08/03/fire-destroys-14-houses-in-zamboanga-city

Fourteen houses were destroyed by a fire in Sitio Baliwasan Grande, Barangay Baliwasan, this city, on Sunday, Aug. 2.

A total of 16 families were displaced by the blaze that broke out at around 2 p.m. Arson investigators are probing possible short circuit from a house as cause of the fire.

Investigation added that neighbors extinguished an earlier fire and advised the homeowner to switch off the main circuit breaker to prevent another blaze.

Hours later, the same wiring reportedly short circuited anew, igniting a second blaze which quickly spread to adjoining houses.

The fire was put under control after nearly an hour. No casualties were reported and follow-up investigation is ongoing.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1281173

Heritage houses were among the properties destroyed after a fire razed a city block here, causing an estimated PHP8 million in damage.

In an interview on Wednesday, community historian Raul Ilogon said among those affected were pre-World War II ancestral houses that were later converted into commercial buildings.

"I suppose some were already renovated (over the years) because of the American bombings in WWII," he said.

History professor Ryan Alber Ignacius Sanchez, who currently works at the Department of Tourism as a heritage consultant, said that some prominent families have owned some of those houses.

The fire broke out on the two blocks between Burgos and JR Borja streets on Tuesday afternoon and reached a fourth alarm before it was put out around 7 p.m.

The Bureau of Fire Protection received the fire call at 5:24 p.m., and the blaze was raised to a third alarm at 5:27 p.m. and a fourth alarm at 5:41 p.m. as flames intensified, according to reports. The fire was placed under control at around 7 p.m. before being declared out at 8:22 p.m.

Seven houses were destroyed, and three others sustained partial damage, affecting 24 families or 121 individuals. The fire burned about 800 square meters of the residential area.

During the operation, one of the fire trucks from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) was also burned while responding to the incident.

While there were no deaths, two individuals sustained injuries, including a BFP officer who was reported with first-degree burns on the left forearm and left ear.

The City Social Welfare and Development Department reported that displaced residents are temporarily staying at the city amphitheater, which has been converted into an evacuation center.

Fire Senior Inspector Johnrey Donasco, operations chief of the city BFP, said the fire spread quickly because many of the houses were made of wood. The BFP has yet to determine the cause of the fire, with investigators still examining the scene.

Local historian Antonio J. Montalvan II has previously written about Cagayan de Oro's vulnerability to fires and the loss of heritage structures, noting that the city's history is "replete with reports of big fires," including those in 1624, 1890, and 1969.

The wooden heritage houses that survived feature distinct Kagay-anon architectural designs, including wooden rounded corners and double roofings. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2283876/84-year-old-woman-dies-in-olongapo-city-house-fire

An 84-year-old woman died in a fire that engulfed a residential house in Olongapo City on Wednesday night, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said.

Fire Officer 2 Jayferson Liwag said in a telephone interview on Thursday that the fatality, Claudia Bautista, was unable to escape the burning house along Bonifacio Extension in Barangay Pag-asa.

The fire broke out at 7:42 p.m. and was completely extinguished at 8:16 p.m., Liwag said.

Three interrelated families, composed of 11 people, occupied the house.

According to initial information, the other residents were on the first floor while Bautista and a household helper were on the second floor when the fire broke out.

The helper managed to go downstairs to seek help and escaped the burning house. 

Bautista, however, was unable to get out and was later found dead.

Authorities are still determining the cause of the fire and assessing the extent of the damage and estimated value of the properties destroyed.

https://mb.com.ph/2026/08/14/80-houses-destroyed-in-zamboanga-fire

Some 80 houses were destroyed here when a fire swept through Cambodia Purok 1, Sangali at dawn on Friday, August 14.

The fire started at 1:21am and swept through the densely-packed neighborhood where houses are made of light materials.

The fire reached the third alarm and was placed under control at 2:44am. It was extinguished an hour later.

The Bureau of Fire Protection initially assessed the damage at P1.44-million.

The City Social Welfare and Development office is conducting its assessment of the situation. Initial data showed that around 100 families were affected by the fire.

 

https://mb.com.ph/2026/08/15/2-die-after-being-trapped-in-sampaloc-house-fire

A 78-year-old homeowner and her 48-year-old helper died after being trapped inside a burning house along Don Quijote Street in Sampaloc, Manila, early Saturday morning, August 15.

The two were found unconscious and lying on the floor, with police saying they still had pulses when firefighters brought them out. They were rushed to hospitals but were later declared dead.

The fire broke out at around 1 a.m. in the two-story house, which relatives said was built in the 1930s, and was declared out at 1:32 a.m.

A relative said he was about to use the bathroom when he noticed thick smoke coming from the house.

“Akala ko noong una, aircon lang na nagmalfunction at umuusok (At first, I thought it was just the air conditioner malfunctioning and producing smoke),” he said.

He immediately brought his family outside before rushing toward the burning house.

“Nilabas ko muna yung mag-ina ko, tapos tumakbo ako doon sa kabilang bahay. Pero sobrang kapal na ng usok (I brought my wife and child outside first, then ran to the other house. But the smoke was already very thick),” he said.

The family then called firefighters, who reportedly arrived about seven minutes later.

By the time responders reached the house, thick smoke had already filled the lower portion of the structure. The doors were also reportedly heavily locked, preventing firefighters from immediately entering through the ground floor.

Firefighters instead worked to open a window fitted with metal grills to gain access. After several minutes, they were able to enter and found the two victims unconscious and lying on the floor.

Fire responders said the victims still had pulses when they were brought out of the house. They were rushed to hospitals but were later declared dead.

The victims reportedly had no visible burns or wounds, raising the possibility that they may have died from smoke inhalation or suffocation. The exact cause of death, however, will have to be determined by the proper authorities.

A dog was also found unconscious inside the house. Neighbors desperately tried to revive the animal, with some performing CPR and others attempting mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. It was later brought to a veterinary clinic along Dapitan Street but could no longer be revived.

No adjacent structures were reported affected by the fire.

Initial information indicated that an electrical problem involving wires may have caused the fire, although authorities have yet to establish the official cause.

The incident remains under investigation.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2286928/10-families-lost-homes-in-koronadal-fire

Six houses were gutted by fire in Barangay Zone 1 here on Monday afternoon, leaving 10 families homeless.

The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) said the fire in Purok New Leganes, which broke out shortly after 4 p.m., quickly spread to neighboring houses, most of which were made of light materials.Two people suffered minor injuries and were given first aid by the CDRRMO rescue team.

The affected families, comprising about 30 individuals, were evacuated and are temporarily staying at the village gymnasium.

The City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) distributed hot meals and emergency food packs to the fire victims.

The Bureau of Fire Protection is still investigating the cause of the blaze.

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/759367/cebu-city-early-morning-fire-razes-6-houses-displaces-70-individuals

An early morning fire destroyed six houses and displaced 70 individuals in Sitio Kiosko, Barangay Basak San Nicolas, Cebu City, Friday, August 21, 2026.

SFO1 Fulbert A Navarro, fire arson investigator of the Cebu City Fire Station, estimated the damage to property at P225,000.

Navarro, in the initial report, said that they were also investigating reports that the fire was caused by faulty electrical wiring after several victims claimed that the fire started at the back of a refrigerator.

According to the Cebu City Fire Station, the fire was reported at 4 a.m. with the firefighters arriving at the fire scene at 4:05 a.m.

The firefighters said that the fire was placed under control at 4:45 a.m. and was declared fire out at 5:59 a.m.

According to the latest data from the responding medical unit, three people were injured in the incident. One was treated for burns while the two others had cuts due to broken glasses.

Barangay Basak Pardo Captain Jun Tumulak, told CDN Digital, that approximately 21 families or nearly 70 individuals were affected by the fire in the area. 

However, Tumulak said the number could still increase as they continued to verify the list of those affected by the fire.

In the meantime, the barangay has distributed modular tents to provide temporary shelter for the victims, along with initial relief supplies. 

Affected families were being temporarily sheltered at the Villa Zacati gym, which serves as an evacuation center for the fire victims.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/metro/999373/4-missing-4-injured-in-pasay-city-residential-area-fire/story/

A three-year-old child and three others died in a fire at Tengco Street, Barangay 106 and 107 in Pasay City, on Friday, August 21, 2026.

In a “24 Oras” report by Athena Imperial, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said the victims were unable to escape their homes in time. The toddler and another victim were found embracing each other.

The fire broke out in the area around 1:00 p.m. and reached the second alarm. Authorities declared the fire out by 4 p.m.

Based on the BFP's initial investigation, the exploding LPG tank triggered the sudden blaze. The fire spread rapidly because the house was constructed from light materials.

An earlier report by Super Radyo dzBB's Luisito Santos said four residents sustained burns and other injuries. Firefighters and rescuers provided them with assistance.

Around 30 families were affected by the fire, according to barangay captain Salvador Vargas.

Residents and firefighters worked together to refill the water tanks of responding fire trucks as their water supply was running low.

Residents also evacuated their pets from the area as the fire spread.

Authorities have yet to provide information on the number of affected houses, casualties, the cost of damaged properties, as well as the cause of the fire.

https://mb.com.ph/2026/08/23/73-families-affected-in-muntinlupa-fire

Fire hit a residential area in Barangay Cupang, Muntinlupa, on Aug. 22, affecting 73 families or 194 individuals. 

The blaze started at about 10:17 a.m. in Bunyi Compound on East Service Road. Firefighters raised the first alarm at 10:25 a.m. before the fire was put under control at 11:13 a.m. and put out at 11:50 a.m. 

Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon said the affected families are temporarily staying at Bunyi covered court. 

He ordered the city’s Social Services Department to provide assistance, especially essential non-food items like sleeping and hygiene kits, food packs and rice. 

The mayor assured families that they will be given financial support and referrals to other government agencies for special needs. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2294228/12-homes-gutted-by-la-union-city-blaze

A dawn fire gutted 12 houses in Barangay Ilocanos Sur in San Fernando City, La Union, on Friday.

No deaths were reported, but three female senior citizens and an adolescent were injured in the incident, an initial report showed.

The Provincial Government of La Union said the fire displaced 27 families who are currently staying at the barangay halls of Barangay Tanqui and Barangay Ilocanos Sur.

The fire started at 4:01 a.m., and firefighters declared “fire out” at  5:30 a.m., with rainfall helping contain the blaze.

Authorities said the fire could have been caused by candles being used because of a power outage at the time.

https://mb.com.ph/2026/08/27/fire-officer-hurt-18-families-displaced-in-muntinlupa-blaze

A fire officer was injured and 18 families were displaced in a blaze that hit Barangay Cupang, Muntinlupa, on Wednesday, Aug. 26.

The Muntinlupa City Fire Station said the fire broke out at about 10:40 p.m. at a house in East Kabulusan along East Service Road.

Eight houses were razed, affecting 50 individuals, according to the city’s Social Services Department (SSD).

Senior Fire Officer I Ric Jayson Celis, 44, sustained an electrical burn and was rushed by the Philippine Red Cross Muntinlupa ambulance to Medical Center Muntinlupa for treatment.

Firefighters raised the first alarm at 10:51 p.m. before declaring the fire out at 11:46 p.m. Damage was estimated at P25,000.

The SSD conducted mapping, assessments, intake interviews, and distributed disaster cards to the affected families.

The city government said it will provide food and non food relief, recommend financial assistance, and refer families to other agencies for special needs.

https://mb.com.ph/2026/08/27/taguig-sees-two-fires-within-hours

Two fires hit Taguig City on Wednesday, Aug. 26, displacing eight families and destroying P2.5 million worth of properties.

The Taguig City Fire Station said the first blaze broke out at about 3:42 p.m. in Purok 1, Barangay New Lower Bicutan, hitting the barracks of the Philippine Army Finance Center Transport Services Cooperative.

Firefighters raised the first alarm at 3:51 p.m. before declaring the fire out at 4:38 p.m.

The incident destroyed two structures, affected 12 individuals, and caused P2 million in damage. The cause is under investigation.

Eight fire trucks, 23 volunteer and local government groups, and an ambulance responded.

At 5:19 p.m., another fire erupted on Macapagal Street, Zone 6, Barangay South Signal.

The blaze started in a four story residential building, originating from the third floor due to burning rubbish.

Firefighters raised the first alarm at 5:32 p.m. and declared the fire out at 6:06 p.m.

The second incident damaged P50,000 worth of properties and affected four families or 23 individuals.

Eight fire trucks, 14 volunteer groups, and an ambulance responded.

https://mb.com.ph/2026/08/28/woman-dies-after-reentering-burning-house-in-qc

A 25‑year‑old woman died after she reportedly went back inside a burning house to search for her mother on 13th Street in Barangay Damayang Lagi, Quezon City, on Friday morning, Aug. 28.

Investigators from the Bureau of Fire Protection‑Quezon City’s Arson Unit said the victim was about to jump from the third floor of the three‑story house when she remembered her mother and turned back.

A companion who was with her when the fire broke out was able to escape by jumping onto the roof, but the woman was not seen again and was eventually trapped inside the burning structure.

BFP-QC rescuers later searched the house using equipment from the Quezon City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (QCDRRMC).

Her body was eventually found beneath the debris.

The blaze spread through residential structures made of light materials and was first logged for verification at 6:51 a.m.

A smoke sighting was reported at 6:55 a.m., with the BFP raising the fire to first alarm at 7 a.m. and second alarm at 7:11 a.m.

The blaze was placed under control at 7:55 a.m. and declared fire out at 8:45 a.m.

Some residents helped firefighters by fetching water to refill a fire truck battling the blaze.

The BFP is still investigating the cause of the fire and assessing the extent of the damage.

The exact number of families affected and the value of the damaged properties have yet to be determined.

Barangay Damayang Lagi officials continue to coordinate with affected residents, who are also appealing for assistance.

That is 16 reported incidents for August. Remember, these are only the major fires reported in the national media. Residential fires are up all across the nation and they do not all make the news. This is the tip of the iceberg concerning the real situation in the Philippines.  

Insurgency: Areas Under 10th Infantry Division Now Insurgency Free

The Army has declared the area under the 10th infantry division has been declared insurgency free. This late area includes Davao City, General Santos, and parts of Bukidnon. 

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2026/08/26/2551990/areas-under-10th-infantry-division-now-insurgency-free/amp/

Local executives in southern regions on Wednesday, August 26, again assured of their support for the efforts of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division to restore normalcy, via humanitarian missions, in towns and cities that its units had cleared from the presence of the New People’s Army in recent years.

The territory of the 10th ID encompasses Region 11 and its capital, Davao City, parts of Bukidnon in Region 10, and Malungon province and General Santos City in Region 12, now all “insurgency-free,” achieved through the cooperation of local government units, leaders of indigenous communities and the different battalions under the division.

Radio reports on Wednesday stated that the feat was one of the highlights of the 10th ID’s 20th anniversary celebration last Saturday, something local executives and indigenous groups are proud about, accomplished with the help of their respective municipal, city and provincial governments.

Major Gen. Alvin Luzon, commander of the 10th ID, said liberating the cities and municipalities in the 10th ID's area of responsibility from the NPA would have been impossible if not for the direct involvement in the process of mayors, provincial officials and chieftains of indigenous tribes. 

Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza told reporters on Wednesday that their provincial government shall continue helping push forward the 10th ID's  reintegration to mainstream society of the NPAs from different towns in their province who had availed of the government’s reconciliation program for communist insurgents in recent months.

“We are thankful to the men and women in the 10^th Infantry Division, under Major Gen. Luzon, and to the residents in different municipalities in Cotabato for turning rebel bastions in the province into `peace zones,’ where peace and sustainable development are now spreading around,” said Taliño-Mendoza, chairperson of the inter-agency, multi-sector Regional Development Council 12.

The commemoration on Saturday of the 10th ID’s 20th anniversary was partly capped off with a 20-kilometer walk by its troops from Camp General Manuel T. Yan in Mawab, Davao de  Oro, where its headquarters is located, to different areas in the province.

South Cotabato Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo Jr., chairperson of the Regional Peace and Order Council 12, said while it is the Army's 6th Infantry Division securing all of the towns in their province and its capital, Koronadal City, he and his constituent-mayors supports the 10th ID’s peacekeeping missions in Malungon and in General Santos City, both in Region 12.

The 10th ID also covers Malungon and General Santos City, also declared insurgency-free recently by local executives and officials of its units in both areas and the Police Regional Office 12.

“Malungon and General Santos City are covered by the Regional Peace and Order Council 12. We in Region 12 are, thus, obliged to help keep the peace now in both areas,’’ Tamayo pointed out.

Now their tasks falls to maintaining the peace.

In Cagayan the PNP uncovered an NPA arms cache. 

https://tribune.net.ph/2026/08/26/police-recovers-arms-cache-in-baggao-cagayan

Police Regional Office 2 (PRO2), in coordination with the Philippine Army, recovered an arms cache containing firearms, ammunition and improvised anti-personnel mines during an operation in Barangay Agaman Proper, Baggao, Cagayan, on 26 August 2026.

The operation involved joint forces from the 204th Maneuver Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 2 (204th MC, RMFB2), 2nd Mobile Force Platoon of the 1st Cagayan Provincial Mobile Force Company, Police Intelligence Team Cagayan South, Regional Intelligence Unit 2, Baggao Police Station and the 17th Infantry Battalion of the 5th Infantry Division, Philippine Army.

Authorities located the cache, which was allegedly concealed along a mobility corridor used by the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG), based on information provided by a former rebel identified by the alias “Romy.”

The operating units secured the area and coordinated with the Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Canine Unit (PECU) Cagayan for the safe recovery, identification, handling and disposition of the recovered war materiel in accordance with established safety protocols.

An inventory showed that the cache contained two improvised anti-personnel mines measuring about 10 by 10 inches, one 12-volt battery, 10 linked rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, one corroded .45-caliber pistol, one corroded .38-caliber revolver, one corroded 9mm pistol and one 12-gauge shotgun.

The explosive ordnance was turned over to PECU Cagayan for proper disposal, while the firearms and ammunition were placed under the temporary custody of the 204th MC, RMFB2 for documentation and appropriate disposition.

PRO2 Regional Director PBGen Mariano C. Rodriguez commended the operating units, emphasizing the importance of intelligence-driven operations and close coordination among law enforcement agencies, the military and local communities.

Rodriguez said the recovery underscored the value of information from former rebels and police-military cooperation in preventing concealed weapons from being used against civilians and authorities.

He also urged remaining members and supporters of armed groups to choose peace, return to the fold of the law and take advantage of government programs designed to help them rebuild their lives with their families and communities.

PRO2 said it would continue strengthening coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, local communities and other stakeholders to maintain peace, order and security across the Cagayan Valley.

The cache was found by the help of a former rebel showing the partnership role they play with government security forces. With these weapons out of commission the NPA is only a little bit less dangerous.

In Caraga 3 NPA rebels surrendered and turned over their arms including explosives.  

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1282857

Three remnants of the communist New People's Army (NPA) surrendered to the Philippine Army on separate occasions between Aug. 22 and 26, turning over firearms and ammunition and aiding in the recovery of explosives and other war materiel in the Caraga Region.

"The series of surrenders underscores the growing impact of sustained government peace and security efforts and the troops' commitment to reaching those who have chosen to abandon the armed struggle," Brig. Gen. Benjamin Leander, commander of the 401st Infantry Brigade, said in a statement Friday.

On Aug. 22, Michael Anga-an, alias Piko, a mass supporter of the dismantled Guerrilla Front 21 under the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC), yielded to troops of the 36th Infantry Battalion (36IB) in Barangay Bagyang, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur. He surrendered an improvised shotgun and two rounds of ammunition.

Another NPA remnant, Roger Tana Gana, alias Jake, a former Milisya ng Bayan member, surrendered to the 3rd Special Forces Battalion on Aug. 25 in Sibagat, Agusan del Sur. He turned over a homemade shotgun, a Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum revolver, and another .357 revolver with six rounds of ammunition.

The third surrenderer, Erwin Carasco Pedrablanca, alias "Vincent," voluntarily yielded to the 36IB on Aug. 26 in Cantilan, Surigao del Sur. He led Army troops in an operation the same day that resulted in the recovery of an M14 rifle, six rifle grenades, and two improvised explosive devices with wires and switches in Barangay Buntalid, Cantilan.

Leander said the accomplishments reflect the collective efforts of government forces, local stakeholders, and communities in Surigao del Sur and Agusan del Sur.

Meanwhile, in Kabankalan City a former NPA finance officer surrendered and turned in his weapons. 

https://mb.com.ph/2026/08/28/former-npa-finance-officer-yields-in-negros

An alleged former finance logistic officer of the New People’s Army (NPA) voluntarily surrendered to the authorities in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental on Thursday, August 27.

According to a report from the 3rd Maneuver Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion-Negros Island Region (RMFB-NIR), the former rebel approached the authorities through intelligence-driven initiative, expressing his desire to return to the government and his family.

During the surrender, the rebel returnee turned over a caliber .38 revolver without serial number, and five live ammunition.

He then underwent initial profiling and debriefing and received cash assistance and a sack of rice as immediate assistance to his family.

In a statement, the 3rd Maneuver Company vowed to continue its efforts and remain committed to sustain peace and order in the community.

They also encouraged others who are still involved in lawless activities to lay down their arms and choose the path of lawful and peaceful living.

And he already received cash and a sack of rice. He will be getting many more benefits from E-CLIP soon enough. 

Week 8 of Vice President Sara Duterte's Impeachment Trial Part 2

This is part 2 of an analysis of Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial.  Sara has decided to once more comment on the merits of the case against her. Obviously the prosecution is engaged in persecution and there are no merits.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2292625/sara-duterte-prosecution-is-resorting-to-theatrics-insults

Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday blasted the prosecution in her impeachment trial for allegedly using “theatrics” and “insults.” 

She said that doing these actions is a sign of “feigning confidence” in presenting what she says is a weak case.

Duterte made the pronouncement as her trial before the Senate impeachment court entered its 19th day.

“They should not be fishing for evidence during the trial or desperately try to turn something they wish to be true into a wild story of alleged wrongdoing,” said Duterte in a statement. 

“A strong case does not need the adornment of theatrics,” she noted. 

“A Senator calling a witness ‘stupid,’ a lawyer calling me the ‘mastermind of a scam’ or another witness referring to me as a ‘brat,’ does not prove a case, nor does it produce evidence,” she added.

According to Duterte, resorting to such insults does nothing but reveal the need to “feign confidence in the face of a weak presentation.”

Meanwhile, the vice president then alluded to the flood problem in the country, including the flood control scandal—accusing the administration of preparing to divide the 2027 budget.

"The country is already inundated with floods and poverty, but it seems no one is taking responsibility, because the impeachment, will divide the 2027 budget," Duterte said.

"And preparing how to break the Constitution to stay in office is the priority of the administration and all its allies," she added. 

Duterte is currently facing the Senate impeachment court through her lawyers on allegations of misusing confidential funds, unexplained wealth, bribery and grave threats.

Ah, yes it is politics at is finest. Accuse others of that which you are doing. Sara claims the porsectuion is engaged in theartics and the case is unmerited all the while engaging in her own theatrics by making baseless and unmerited claims against the Marcos administration. 

Senator Escudero, the presiding officer, did not take too kindly to these remarks and has put Sara on notice. She was admonished to refrain from talking about the case. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1282719

Presiding Officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Wednesday reminded Vice President Sara Duterte to observe restrictions on public comments about her impeachment case after she issued a statement while the court was announcing stricter enforcement of Rule 18.

Duterte challenged prosecutors to prove the charges through evidence instead of “insults, speculation, or political theatrics,” and accused them of “fishing for evidence” to support what she described as a weak case.

House lead prosecutor Gerville Luistro later raised the statement before the court, but Escudero said Duterte would not be sanctioned for it because it was issued while his ruling was still being delivered.

“Given that it was done while the ruling was being issued, prospectivity would still apply,” Escudero said, before asking defense lead counsel Sheila Sison to remind Duterte to comply with Rule 18.

He said future violations could prompt action from the impeachment court and, since Duterte is a lawyer, possible referral under mechanisms governing members of the Bar.

When Luistro sought to read part of Duterte’s statement into the record, Escudero stopped her, saying doing so would itself bring comments on the merits into the proceedings.

“No need. Again, I find it unacceptable and it will be commenting on the merits,” he said, adding that the court could take judicial notice of the statement if necessary.

Escudero earlier ordered the strict enforcement of Rule 18, which bars senator-judges, prosecutors, the impeached official, their counsels and witnesses from publicly commenting on the merits of the pending case.

But it's not just Sara Duterte who needs to refrain from uttering such public comments. It is the defense and prosecution as well. Now, Duterte's team is scrambling to find a new spokesperson to stay in line with Rule 18 because her lead defense lawyer is currently holding both jobs. 

https://mb.com.ph/2026/08/26/vp-sara-duterte-defense-urgently-seeks-new-spokesperson-amid-sub-judice-rule

The defense team of Vice President Sara Duterte is moving with greater urgency to find a new spokesperson following the impeachment court's ruling to strictly enforce the sub judice rule, a development that has put defense spokesperson and lawyer Michael Poa in an increasingly difficult position.

In a press briefing on Wednesday, August 26, Poa—who is both a member of Duterte's legal team and its spokesperson—said the panel has yet to find a replacement but is increasingly aware of the risks posed by lawyers publicly discussing matters related to the impeachment proceedings.

“For us, it has become risky, and there are times when your questions also would put us in a corner to answer certain things that might delve into the merits, and it's not your fault, of course, you're just doing your job,” Poa said.

Poa noted that with the court’s stricter enforcement of the sub judice rule, his dual role has “become difficult” because members of the legal team could be “made an example of” and face penalties. However, he stressed that the defense team respects the ruling and would comply with the impeachment court's orders.

Senate impeachment court presiding officer Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero, in his ruling, reiterated his earlier suggestion that both the prosecution and defense panels consider appointing spokespersons who are not covered by the rules governing lawyers involved in the impeachment proceedings.

‘Sense of urgency’

Poa said the defense has yet to identify anyone for the position, but finding a spokesperson has taken on a new sense of urgency.

“We don't have one yet, but I think it's definitely important to have one,” he said, adding that he had already raised the matter with Duterte. “Perhaps now, there is a sense of urgency,” he added.

Qualities of a new spokesperson

Poa said the defense is looking not simply for a replacement, but for someone capable of translating the complex and highly technical impeachment process into language ordinary Filipinos can understand.

“We want someone who can really explain the process well,” Poa said. “Someone who can laymanize the process for our fellow Filipinos, and someone who will be consistent with whatever the defense wants him or her to say sa media,” he added.

He said the team wants someone who can explain the process clearly, make it understandable to ordinary Filipinos, and consistently communicate the defense's position to the media.

Consistency, he added, would be particularly important to ensure that the public is not confused about where the defense stands on issues arising from the impeachment proceedings.

“Someone who can really communicate well. And when we say communicate well, it means someone who can laymanize this very technical process,” Poa added.

While having a legal background could help a spokesperson understand the proceedings, Poa said the defense was not limiting its search to lawyers.

“It’s always easier to understand legal processes if you are a lawyer. But we’re not trying to take away anything from non-lawyers,” he said, noting that non-lawyers can also explain complicated matters well and quickly grasp the issues involved.

A difficult dual role

Poa said balancing his duties as Duterte's lawyer and as the defense team's public spokesperson has not been easy, particularly when questions from reporters could potentially touch on the merits of the impeachment case.

“It hasn't been easy for me to also navigate what are the merits and which are not,” he said, referring to the challenge of determining which matters can and cannot be publicly discussed.

He added that there could be occasions when he might inadvertently give an answer on a matter that should not be discussed publicly, something he said could also reflect badly on the defense team.

Poa said Duterte had previously been presented with several options: he could continue as spokesperson and leave the legal team, remain on the legal team and give up the spokesperson role, or continue doing both.

According to Poa, Duterte's initial preference was for him to remain as her lawyer while the team searched for another spokesperson.

“Her immediate answer was that she wants me as her lawyer and the option would be to look for another spokes,” he said.

Defining the limits of sub judice

While stressing that the defense intends to comply with the impeachment court's ruling, Poa said the team would still need to determine the precise scope of the sub judice rule and discuss its implications with Duterte.

“It's not a total gag order where you cannot talk about anything,” Poa said.

He said the restrictions primarily concern the merits of the case, including matters contained in the pleadings, the relevance of the evidence presented, and the credibility of the witnesses.

“It's just really what covers sub judice, which is really the merits of the case,” he said, explaining that the key issue is determining exactly what falls within the rule's coverage.

Poa said he would have to discuss the recent developments with the Vice President.

For now, he said, the defense will have to carefully navigate the restrictions while accelerating its search for a spokesperson who can clearly communicate its position, simplify the complex impeachment process for the public, and ensure consistency in the team's message—without exposing members of the legal panel to possible sanctions. 

The fact that Sara's team is only realizing now that they need a spokesperson who is not one of her layers is astoundingly inept. They knew about these rules weeks ago and they did not prepare accordingly. 

Because of her specious remarks Sara is being questioned as to why she simply does not attend the trial so she can her the testimony and examine the evidence. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2293315/duterte-told-why-say-theres-no-evidence-if-you-dont-attend-trial

Lawmakers have asked Vice President Sara Duterte how she was able to conclude that the prosecution has failed to present any evidence in her impeachment trial, despite the proceedings having gone on for eight weeks, while she has been absent.

In an ambush interview on the sidelines of Duterte’s trial on Wednesday, public prosecutor and Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said that if Duterte had attended some of the hearings, she would have seen the magnitude of evidence presented by the prosecution.

“Maybe if our vice president had shown up to her trial from the start, she would know the state of the evidence laid down by the prosecution,” Ridon told reporters.

“And I think it is very important to remind (the public) that it has been weeks, I think this is the eighth week of the trial, but the vice president chose not to show up to this trial,” he added.

In a separate press briefing, Deputy Speaker Jefferson Khonghun said that Duterte’s statements will be a good test of how the Senate Impeachment Court will implement Rule 18, the sub judice rule, which bars comments and disclosures on the merits of the case.

“It doesn’t look good that the presiding officer is reading the ruling on sub judice and then the vice president is discussing the case. She has not attended her trial, and yet she chooses to say a lot of things outside,” he added.

On Wednesday morning, while her trial was ongoing, Duterte released a statement calling out the prosecution and some members of the impeachment court.

Duterte said that the prosecution has been relying on “theatrics” and “insults,” while saying that a senator-judge called a witness “stupid.” 

She also claimed that the prosecution has been fishing for evidence in an attempt to “legitimize the two impeachment complaints,” which she said were “filed without a shred of evidence.”

When asked whether he thinks Duterte will follow Rule 18, Khonghun said “no.”

“Ever since, she has not behaved well. You saw how she acted outside the court, so we do not expect the vice president to follow the court’s orders. She hasn’t even shown up yet,” he added.

Earlier, prosecution spokesperson and impeachment adviser Robert Ace Barbers said that they would seek clarification from the impeachment court on the matter.

Eventually, House lead prosecutor and Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro asked Escudero if she could make a manifestation on the matter. Escudero stopped Luistro, saying that he was well on his way to addressing the matter.

Escudero said that since Duterte’s statements were made while the ruling was being discussed, they fell under the principle of prospectivity. However, he asked the defense panel, particularly lead defense lawyer Sheila Sison, to remind her client about the matter.

Lawmakers have previously called out Duterte’s absence from the trial. On Aug. 3, Ridon questioned why she could travel abroad but not attend the trial.

Duterte is not required to attend the trial, as she is represented by her counsel. However, last August 17, Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. — one of the endorsers of the fourth impeachment complaint — said Duterte should show up and answer the allegations herself, instead of having her staff face tough questions from the parties and senator-judges.

According to Abante, if Duterte can attend the proceedings for her perjury charge against ex-aide Ramil Madriaga and the arraignment of her brother Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte for his grave threats case, the vice president should also make time for the impeachment court and not let staffers alone be grilled.

Given her demeanor and past actions it is likely Sara will refuse to attend and she will continue to comment on the merits of her case. The question is will the Senate actually hold her accountable for any future remarks she may make? After all, Sara already violated rule 18 and Escudero let her off the hook by saying "next time you're really gonna get it!"

Week 8 of Vice President Sara Duterte's Impeachment Trial Part 1

After losing two days to inclement weather Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial continued for week 8 with Special Disbursing Officer Acosta once more taking the stand. Despite being tasked with handling Sara's confidential funds it appears that she was unqualified for the position. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1282497

Former Office of the Vice President (OVP) special disbursing officer (SDO) Gina Acosta on Monday said she did not know why Vice President Sara Duterte chose her twice to handle confidential funds as the House prosecution questioned her qualifications for the sensitive post.

Acosta served as SDO for confidential funds of the Davao City government when Duterte was mayor before taking on the same role at the OVP after Duterte became Vice President.

During redirect examination, House prosecution counsel Amando Virgil Ligutan zeroed in on Acosta’s educational background and lack of training in confidential operations after she handled PHP500 million in OVP confidential funds as an accountable officer.

Acosta, a hostile witness, said she earned a degree in customs administration from MATS College of Technology in Davao City and did not take a licensure examination.

She also acknowledged having no training in confidential operations, although she noted that the governing rules did not specify such training as a requirement for an SDO.

Ligutan then questioned why Duterte had picked her to handle confidential funds in both Davao City and later the OVP.

Seeing Acosta’s hesitation to answer, Presiding Officer Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero asked her: “If you have no training on confidential activities, why were you chosen as SDO handling confidential funds? Not only at the OVP but also in Davao.”

"I don’t know, Your Honor, why the Vice President chose me as SDO,” Acosta replied.

“In OVP and Davao?” Escudero clarified.

“Yes, in both, Your Honor,” Acosta said.

Ligutan then raised whether Acosta was repeatedly chosen because she would simply follow Duterte’s orders.

“Didn’t you become an SDO because you follow orders blindly?” Ligutan asked.

The defense objected that the question was argumentative.

After it was reformulated, Acosta was asked whether following orders was, in her view, the reason Duterte designated her SDO in Davao City and the OVP.

“I don’t know, Your Honor,” she replied.

Ligutan pressed further: “You cannot say because you follow all that was ordered to you?”

“I don’t know. I am just doing my duties as an SDO, Your Honor,” Acosta said.

Ligutan also challenged Acosta on whether an SDO entrusted with confidential funds should at least have “common sense” even if specialized training was not required.

“I have brains, Your Honor,” Acosta replied.

The questioning came after Ligutan confronted Acosta with Joint Circular 2015-01, which defines an SDO as the head of an agency or a regular employee designated by the agency head to be in charge of making confidential fund disbursements.

Acosta maintained that she was the one who disbursed the funds while Col. Raymund Dante Lachica, Duterte’s designated security officer, implemented the confidential activities.

“I disbursed the funds, not him. He just implemented it, Your Honor,” Acosta said.

Acosta earlier admitted releasing four PHP125-million cash tranches totaling PHP500 million in OVP confidential funds to Lachica from December 2022 through the third quarter of 2023.

Lachica was not fidelity-bonded, while Acosta remained the accountable officer for the funds. Acosta is the prosecution’s first hostile witness in Duterte’s impeachment trial.

That Sara picked her because of loyalty would explain why Acosta followed her orders despite knowing they were not lawful. Under oath she testified that she was aware Col. Raymund Dante Lachica was not bonded to handle the money yet she gave it to him anyway.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2290833/acosta-admits-handing-cf-to-lachica-despite-knowing-he-was-not-bonded

Former special disbursing officer (SDO) Gina Acosta has admitted that she handed over the confidential funds (CF) under the Office of the Vice President (OVP) to Army Col. Raymund Dante Lachica even if she knew that the latter was not a bonded officer.

Acosta made this admission on Monday, during the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte at the Senate, when asked by counsel for the prosecution Amando Virgil Ligutan whether Lachica — former head of the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group (VPSPG) — was a “bonded official.”

Under Item No. 6.1.2 of the Joint Circular No. 2015-01 of the Commission on Audit (COA) and other government offices using CFs, cash advances for confidential and intelligence funds were “shall be drawn by duly designated and bonded SDOs or HoA (head of agency) for the implementation of a program, activity, and project chargeable to the corresponding CF.”

"We said that the reason why we need a fidelity bond is to protect the funds that the people worked hard for.  Question, is the Col. Lachica who was given P125 million, plus P375 million, or a whopping total of P500 million- this is the people’s question to you, Gina Acosta- was he able to post a fidelity bond?," Ligutan asked.

"The security officer, Col. Lachica, as he is the commanding officer of the VPSPG, he is not a bonded officer your Honor, but the accountable officer remains to be me, your Honor.  I am still the accountable person your Honor that’s why your Honor, I was the one who did the liquidation," Acosta replied. 

SDOs handling confidential and intelligence funds are required to post bonds, or money which the government may use as replacement in case part of the allocations are accidentally lost.

In OVP’s case, Acosta posted the bonds as the SDO, not Lachica.

Ligutan then asked Acosta whether she indeed ceded responsibility for disbursing CFs to Lachica every time OVP received the secret funds—for the fourth quarter of 2022 and the first three quarters of 2023.

"Now, isn’t it that for the three quarters of 2023, I’ll break the question down, you also gave P125 million para sa first quarter ng 2023 kay Col. Lachica, right?," Ligutan asked. "For the second quarter, P125 million to Colonel Lachica then, he is unbonded, you gave P125 million to Colonel Lachica, right?"

"That’s correct, Your Honor; he is the security officer who was designated by Vice President Sara Duterte to implement the confidential activities, Your Honor; he has access, Your Honor," Acosta said. 

"It was released to Col. Lachica, Your Honor, because he was the one assigned by the Vice President because he is our security officer, Your Honor.  He is the one who knows, he is the expert your Honor in implementing the projects or programs regarding the operation of confidential activities," she added. 

After this, Ligutan noted that Acosta’s answers appeared repetitive, as she kept saying she gave the duty of disbursing CFs to Lachica.

Ligutan also pointed out that transferring the CF to Lachica may have prompted other violations since the military official was not an organic employee of the OVP.

Ligutan was referring to other provisions in the Joint Circular, particularly Item No. 6.1.1, which states that “under no circumstance shall” the CFs be “transferred from one accountable to another.”

Another provision, Item 6.1.6, also states that “no transfer of funds/appropriation through cash advances or any form of payment from one agency to another for purposes of confidential and intelligence activities shall be allowed.”

Last Monday, during her first day on the witness stand, Acosta admitted that she gave the duties of disbursing CFs to Lachica based on Duterte’s orders.

Acosta also testified this was the way it was done even during Sara's time as Mayor in Davao. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1282486

Former Office of the Vice President (OVP) special disbursing officer (SDO) Gina Acosta on Monday admitted following the same procedure in handling confidential funds in Davao City, including allowing recipients to take back documents acknowledging receipt of the money after liquidation.

The admission came as the prosecution traced Acosta’s handling of confidential funds from Davao City, where Vice President Sara Z. Duterte previously served as mayor, to the OVP.

House of Representatives prosecution counsel Amando Ligutan told the Senate impeachment court that Davao City was allocated PHP460 million in confidential funds annually from 2019 to 2022, or a total of PHP1.84 billion over four years.

Acosta, who served as SDO in Davao City before moving to the OVP, said she could no longer recall the amounts allocated to the city.

Ligutan later questioned Acosta about the procedure she followed in handling the OVP’s confidential funds, particularly the acknowledgment documents signed by Col. Raymund Dante Lachica when she released four PHP125-million cash tranches totaling PHP500 million to him.

Lachica was Duterte’s former OVP security head.

Acosta testified that Lachica signed an internal document acknowledging each cash release but later took it back after submitting a fund utilization report and the funds were liquidated.

“So, it’s no longer in your hands, it’s already in his hands?” Presiding Officer Senator Francis Escudero asked, referring to the acknowledgment document that Lachica signed for the first P125-million release.

“It’s no longer with me, Your Honor,” Acosta replied.

Escudero asked whether the same process was followed for the three PHP125-million releases in 2023, with Lachica signing upon receiving the money and later retrieving the acknowledgment after submitting his fund utilization report and the funds were liquidated before the Commission on Audit (COA).

“Yes, Your Honor,” Acosta said.

Ligutan then turned to Acosta’s stint as SDO in Davao City and asked whether the same procedure was followed there.

Acosta initially said she could no longer recall.

“I will have to recall, Your Honor, kasi matagal na po ’yun (that was already long ago),” she said.

Ligutan described the procedure as a “modus operandi,” prompting an objection from the defense.

Escudero cautioned against the term and reformulated the question.

“Counsel, we both know modus has a secondary and double meaning,” Escudero said.

The presiding officer instead asked whether this was the standard operating procedure Acosta followed as SDO in both Davao City and the OVP.

“Is this the common practice and process when you were the SDO of Davao with regards to confidential funds and when you were the SDO of the OVP?,” Escudero asked.

He described the procedure as releasing confidential funds to a security officer or another person who was not bonded, having the recipient sign an acknowledgment document, and allowing the document to be taken back after a fund utilization report was submitted and the funds were liquidated before COA.

"Yes, Your Honor,” Acosta replied.

In the OVP, Acosta testified that Lachica was not fidelity-bonded when she released four PHP125-million cash tranches to him from December 2022 through the third quarter of 2023.

“He was not bonded, Your Honor, but the accountable officer, Your Honor, I am still the accountable person, Your Honor,” Acosta said.

She said Duterte designated Lachica to implement the OVP’s confidential activities.

Acosta later admitted she had no personal knowledge of Lachica’s actual payments to the recipients listed in acknowledgment receipts and relied on him and the documents he supplied in accounting for the expenditures.

House prosecution panel spokesperson Robert Ace Barbers, meanwhile, said Acosta’s testimony ultimately strengthened the prosecution’s theory that Duterte personally directed the transfer of the PHP125 million confidential funds to Lachica.

Barbers said the testimony established a clear sequence of events: PHP125 million was withdrawn, Acosta physically received the money, and Duterte instructed her to turn it over to Lachica.

"This places the Vice President’s instruction at the center of the transaction," the former lawmaker said.

"What is important is that the accountable officer herself testified that she would not have made the transfer without the Vice President’s instruction. That is a direct link between the Vice President and the actual disposition of the funds."

The testimony also raised questions about Lachica’s authority to receive the money, Barbers also said, noting that Acosta’s answers indicated that Lachica was not the authorized SDO for the transaction, despite being the person to whom the PHP125 million was ultimately handed over.

According to Barbers, equally significant was Acosta’s admission that Lachica’s name did not appear in the documents submitted to the Commission on Audit to support the transaction.

"The person who allegedly received the cash was therefore not identified in the supporting documentation presented for audit," he said.

Both as Mayor and as Vice President the modus operandi was to release "confidential funds to a security officer or another person who was not bonded," have "the recipient sign an acknowledgment document," and allow "the document to be taken back after a fund utilization report was submitted and the funds were liquidated before COA." Those were Sara's instructions which places her at the center of the transaction. 

On Tuesday another hostile witness was examined who testified that Sara did not sumbit a plan for the funds until after they were received. 

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/999750/ovp-requested-p250m-confi-funds-in-2022-submitted-spending-plan-later-witness/story/

The Office of the Vice President (OVP) Sara Duterte requested P250 million in confidential funds in August 2022 and submitted the corresponding spending plan almost a month later, OVP Assistant Secretary Lemuel Ortonio said Tuesday. 

Ortonio made the confirmation during the direct examination of private prosecutor Mae Divinangracia during Day 18 of the impeachment trial of the Vice President. 

"Yes, that's correct," Ortonio replied when asked to confirm that the Vice President signed off on the request for P250 million in confidential funds from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). 

"In the context of the plans and programs of the OVP, there has already been plans already at the beginning of the term of the Vice President in July of 2020," Ortonio said.

Ortonio, however, replied, "Yes, there were no attachments," when Divinagracia asked him if the OVP submitted the August 2022 request for confidential funds without a physical and financial plan attached to the letter.

Divinagracia then cited that the August 2022 letter only stated that the OVP committed "to formulate programs, projects, and activities relevant to national security and peace and order."

Ortonio thereafter confirmed that the OVP only submitted its physical and financial plan in support of its request for confidential funds to the DBM in September 2022, or 28 days after the original request was made. 

Ortonio then said Duterte knew that he submitted the physical and financial plan to the DBM on September 19, 2022. 

In addition, Ortonio said the physical and financial plan was also approved by the OVP on September 16, 2022, or three days before it was submitted to the DBM.

The Office of the President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. eventually approved a P125-million confidential fund allocation for the OVP for 2022, which was released in December 2022. 

In a press conference, House prosecution panel spokesperson Benjamin Tolosa, Jr. and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Adiong said such a belated submission of the physical and financial plan makes the request suspect.

"What happened was putting the cart before the horse. They already requested money ahead of the submitting a plan how they will use it. Do they really have a basis for requesting P250 million worth of confidential funds to begin with?" Adiong asked.

"If you are asking for funding, you should have a plan how will you use it. The issue here is not whether or not the funding's release was delayed. The important question to be asked is, are these funds used for the purposes allowed under the guidelines," Tolosa added.

Of the P125 million confidential funds of the OVP in 2022, the Commission on Audit (COA) issued a notice of disallowance (ND) on P73 million of confidential fund disbursement. 

An ND is issued when an expenditure is "either irregular, unnecessary, excessive, extravagant, or unconscionable" and orders the concerns agency to return such amount to government coffers.

Putting the cart before the horse indicates that Sara's spending plan was likely ad hoc. 

This same witness testified that he paid 150,000 pesos out of his own pocket to cover Sara's excess expenses related to the confidential funds. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2291943/ortonio-confirms-paying-p150000-excess-cf-expenses-out-of-pocket

Assistant Secretary and chief of staff Lemuel Ortonio confirmed Tuesday that he provided P150,000 out of his own pocket to cover the excess expenses under the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) confidential funds (CF).

During the 18th day of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, Ortonio said he paid for the amount due to an urgent request from Col. Raymund Dante Lachica, the security officer who was said to “implement” the OVP’s confidential funds.

“This was raised to me by Miss Gina Acosta, our [special disbursing officer], and then she mentioned that there was a request,” Ortonio said.

This statement echoes Acosta’s testimony on Monday saying that it was indeed Ortonio who provided the difference, but Acosta clarified that she has no personal knowledge regarding where Ortonio got the money.

The P150,000 discrepancy was the amount flagged in the Commission on Audit (COA)’s Notice of Suspension (NS) on the OVP’s confidential fund utilization.

While the accomplishment report reflected expenses totaling P125 million which is equal to the cash advance of the OVP, the documents evidencing payments submitted to COA showed actual expenses amounting to P125,150,000.

When the NS was issued to the OVP, Ortonio initially told COA that acknowledgement receipts sent to liquidate the confidential funds may have been “inadvertently mixed with other documents.”

Nine days later, however, he submitted a supplemental reply clarifying that the P150,000 difference had been covered using his personal funds.

“The reconciliation shows that an amount of P50,000.00 under Payment of Reward, and an amount of P100,000.00 under Purchase of Supplies, were provided by Assistant Secretary Lemuel Ortonio out of his personal funds, due to the urgency of the expenses,” his supplemental response read.

Meanwhile, Divinagracia pointed out that the P150,000 that Ortonio shouldered was just P40,000 shy of the OVP assistant chief of staff’s monthly salary of P180,000 to 190,000 as he worked under the Salary Grade 29.

Asked during trial whether it was common for the OVP to ask employees to shoulder expenses from their own pocket, Ortonio replied, “No, it’s not common.”

Divinagracia then questioned why he appeared to have forgotten the personal cash outlay when he replied to the NS.

Ortonio said he initially responded because they needed to submit a reply, but later provided a supplemental response after verifying the details to ensure that the information submitted was accurate.

“At the time, because of the urgency and because Miss Gina asked for help, I provided her with the request,” Ortonio said.

Divinagracia asked whether the OVP has records for Ortonio paying for the amount himself but Ortonio answered in the negative. He was also asked if it was ever paid back to him.

“Unfortunately Ma’am, I was not reimbursed anymore,” Ortionio added. 

Ortonio claims employees shouldering expenses is not common but he does not explain exactly why he did it. Was it done on the fly to answer the COA's notice of suspension? Either way he stepped to cover Duterte's mess and he was not reimbursed for his trouble.

During her cross-examination of Ortonio, attorney Divinagracia was seen clutching a cross. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2291728/divinagracia-cross-gives-comfort-clarity-confidence-during-trial

Counsel for the prosecution team Atty. Mae Divinagracia on Tuesday was seen holding a wooden cross as she did her direct examination of the witness during the 18th day of the impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte.

But what is it for?

“For Comfort. It gives me confidence, clarity of mind, that’s how I feel when I’m holding it,” Divinagracia said in an ambush interview when asked the question.

Several netizens were posting about the said cross online, curious about what the lawyer was holding.

The wooden cross is often called a “comfort cross,” an asymmetrical cross ergonomically designed to be grasped in one’s clenched hand during prayer or difficult times.

The litigation lawyer said that the cross is something she always carries with her whenever she is at hearings and trials.

Essentially its a superstitious fetish she is grasping to give her comfort and clarity of mind while she works. Why is this allowed in a courtroom?

And now for the stupidest comment of the week courtesy of Seantor Padilla. 

https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/26/padilla-likens-mary-grace-piattos-other-ovp-fund-recipients-to-national-heroes-1510

Padilla, during Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, asked prosecution counsel Mae Divinagracia if she is aware that the country's heroes used aliases in the revolution against Spanish colonialism.

The ARs also bear surnames similar to some politicians, including a “Clarisse Hontiveros,” “Beth Revilla,” “Jose Diokno Jr.,” and two recipients with the surname “Lapid.”

Divinagracia, citing the Anti-Alias Law, stressed that the use of alias is allowed only if the individual's real name was disclosed. 

She added that the circumstances the revolutionaries faced when the Philippines was a colony were different from the context of confidential funds, used for operations concerning national security. 

Revolutionary figures like Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio and Apolinario Mabini used pseudonyms and code names to hide from Spanish authorities. The names on the acknowledgement receipts are supposedly informants for the Philippine government.

Senator Padilla argued: "Do we not have a war with the NPA (New People's Army)? The NPA has aliases."

Not only has it not been proven that any of those holding the aliases are real persons but the use of aliases in this context is illegal if their real name has not been disclosed. Also the prosecution has not claimed these names are aliases. Once more Senator Padilla has shown he has no business being a judge let alone a Senator.