Tulfo Traces OVP Audit Replies to VP Sara's Desk, Raising Fresh Questions on Confidential Fund Oversight

Senator Raffy Tulfo has confirmed that responses to Commission on Audit (COA) queries regarding the Office of the Vice President's (OVP) confidential funds were routed through Vice President Sara Duterte's personal office, intensifying scrutiny over the handling of millions in public money.

The revelation, made public on Wednesday, marks the latest development in an ongoing investigation into how the OVP utilized roughly ₱500 million in confidential funds across 2022 and 2023. Senator Tulfo, who chairs the Senate committee on public accounts, stated that the audit replies bear the unmistakable signature of the Vice President's direct involvement in the process.

The Paper Trail

According to documents obtained during the Senate probe, all correspondence between the OVP and COA regarding confidential fund expenditures passed through the Vice President's desk before being transmitted to auditors. This administrative detail carries significant weight, as it suggests that the Vice President maintained direct oversight—and therefore accountability—over how the funds were allocated and documented.

Tulfo's findings align with earlier testimony from OVP officials who admitted that the Vice President personally approved disbursements, including cash advances that were later distributed to confidential informants.

Questions Over Disbursement Practices

The investigation has uncovered several practices that have drawn criticism from opposition senators and civil society groups:

• Cash advances to informants: The OVP distributed cash to individuals described as "confidential informants" without requiring them to sign receipts, citing security concerns
• Lack of liquidation documentation: Some cash advances remain unliquidated, with the OVP arguing that requiring receipts would compromise the safety of informants
• Medical expense payments: The OVP reportedly gave informants cash to purchase their own medicines rather than reimbursing actual medical expenses, a practice that Senator Tulfo noted "blurs the line between legitimate confidential operations and discretionary spending"

Legal Framework and Precedent

Under Philippine law, confidential funds are intended for intelligence-gathering activities that support national security or public order. The Commission on Audit has repeatedly flagged the OVP's use of these funds as potentially irregular, noting that the Vice President's office is not traditionally an intelligence-gathering agency.

Legal experts point out that while the Vice President has constitutional discretion over her office's budget, the failure to provide proper documentation could constitute a violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Political Implications

The timing of these revelations is particularly significant. With the 2025 midterm elections approaching, the investigation has become a flashpoint in the political rivalry between the Duterte and Marcos camps. Vice President Duterte's recent alignment with opposition figures and her public criticism of the current administration have added political fuel to what might otherwise be a routine audit matter.

Political analyst Ramon Casiple notes, "This investigation has evolved beyond mere fiscal accountability. It has become a proxy battle between political factions, with the confidential fund issue serving as the battleground."

What Happens Next

The Senate committee is expected to release its formal recommendation within the coming weeks. Possible outcomes include:

1. Filing of administrative charges against OVP officials
2. Referral to the Ombudsman for possible criminal prosecution
3. Legislative reforms to tighten confidential fund oversight
4. A formal censure of the Vice President

Senator Tulfo has indicated that he will push for amendments to the General Appropriations Act to require more stringent documentation for confidential fund disbursements across all government offices.

The Bottom Line

While the full extent of any irregularities remains to be determined, the paper trail leading to the Vice President's desk suggests that accountability for these funds rests squarely on her shoulders. As the investigation continues, the public can expect further revelations about how one of the country's highest-ranking officials managed—and possibly mismanaged—millions in taxpayer money designated for confidential operations.

For now, the ball is in the court of the Senate committee and, ultimately, the Filipino people, who will have the final say on these matters at the ballot box.