Commission on Audit (COA) State Auditor Xylene Mae del Campo testified Monday in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte [1].
The testimony centers on whether the Vice President misused government funds, a central pillar of the Articles of Impeachment that could lead to her removal from office.
Proceedings held in Manila on Aug. 10 [2] marked day 15 of the trial [3]. Del Campo provided testimony and underwent examination regarding audit findings linked to the Vice President's use of confidential funds [1].
The scrutiny focuses on the handling of these funds during a specific window from late 2022 through the third quarter of 2023 [4]. Auditors are examining whether the expenditures complied with government regulations, a key point of contention for the prosecution.
This phase of the trial follows previous testimonies from other COA auditors who have provided evidence regarding the financial records of the Vice President's office [4]. The proceedings aim to determine if the funds were spent on their intended purpose or diverted for unauthorized activities.
Legal representatives for the Vice President have continued to challenge the methodology of the audit findings presented by the COA. The trial remains focused on the transparency of executive spending and the oversight capabilities of the state auditor.
“Day 15 of the proceedings in Manila focused on the alleged misuse of confidential funds”
The introduction of COA auditors as witnesses signifies a shift toward technical, evidence-based arguments regarding fiscal accountability. Because the trial hinges on the legal definition of 'misuse' of confidential funds, the specific audit findings from 2022 and 2023 will likely determine if the Senate finds sufficient grounds for conviction or acquittal.
