LIVE UPDATES: Impeachment trial of Sara Duterte | Aug. 4, 2026

Receipts alone don’t prove that P612.5 million in VP Duterte’s confidential funds was lawfully spent, says Robert Ace Barbers.⠀

In the seriousness of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, the counsels, Senator-judges and the audience managed…

The alleged misuse of P612 million in confidential funds vy VP Sara Duterte is “a scam against the people,” says prosecutor Lorna Kapunan

Prosecutor Lorna Kapunan says VP Sara Duterte offices use to spend and liquidate confidential funds (CFs) already points to a “scam.”

Vice President Sara Duterte’s counsel Michael Poa admits joining COA meeting to request an “audit query” on OVP, DepEd confidential fund use.

MANILA, Philippines — It is the height of impropriety and irregularity for Vice President Sara Duterte’s staffers to even seek a meeting with the Commission on Audit (COA) on what was then a forthcoming audit observation memorandum (AOM), Bicol Saro party-list Rep

Vice President Sara Duterte’s defense counsel invoked a 1992 COA circular to justify the lack of receipts submitted by the OVP for its use of confidential funds.

Is Vice President Sara Duterte already exempted from calls for accountability just because the OP approved her requests for CF allocations?

Auditor Roderick Wamil tells impeachment court that he attended an audit meeting with Zuleika Lopez and Michael Poa.

COA auditor Roderick Wamil continued his testimony on Day 12 of Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial on Aug. 4, 2026, pointing to deficiencies in the OVP's and DepEd's confidential fund documents as the defense challenged the basis of his audit findings.Here are the… pic.twitter.com/JLeqJy8oGf

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“Wait, don't answer, huy.”Prosecution counsel Lorna Kapunan draws laughter after stopping COA auditor Roderick Wamil from answering while she was raising an objection.Defense counsel Michael Poa had asked Wamil whether any COA audit finding expressly stated that "even a… pic.twitter.com/ZhL5xDoxUC

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Defense counsel Michael Poa presents a document showing that the Office of the Vice President (OVP) was allotted confidential funds in 2014, contrary to the testimony of COA auditor Roderick Wamil. Follow our live updates here: https://t.co/eI7Yo9SrDTWatch our live… pic.twitter.com/t7iC6TyFii

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"Mayroon bang nagbabawal na gamitin ito in 11 days?"Defense counsel Michael Poa asks COA auditor Roderick Wamil whether Joint Circular No. 2015-01 prohibits confidential fund cash advances from being used within 11 days. Follow our live updates here:… pic.twitter.com/Fd1xPegPnC

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"Mayroon bang nagbabawal na gamitin ito in 11 days?"Defense counsel Michael Poa asks COA auditor Roderick Wamil whether Joint Circular No. 2015-01 prohibits confidential fund cash advances from being used within 11 days. Follow our live updates here:… pic.twitter.com/Fd1xPegPnC

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During cross examination, Defense counsel Michael Poa cites 2014 Special Allotment Release Order which shows that OVP has confidential funds.

Vice President Sara Duterte’s defense team presented a document before the Senate impeachment court, showing OVP was allotted CFs in 2014.

The system Vice President Sara Duterte’s offices use to spend and liquidate confidential funds points to a “scam,” private prosecutor Lorna Kapunan said

COA auditor says OVP and DepEd officials sought “audit query” instead of AOM for confidential fund findings during Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial.

Auditor Roderick Wamil on Tuesday, Aug.4, says OVP’s third-quarter 2023 accomplishment report lacked the documents required under the Joint Circular to prove the success of information-gathering or surveillance activities.

The CF issue is an integral part of allegations against Duterte, as a huge amount of the expenses made through secret fund were disallowed

Vice President Sara Duterte’s defense team on Tuesday stopped a prosecution witness from testifying on an audit report.

LOOK: The Senate impeachment court adjourns until 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 5. COA auditor Roderick Wamil is expected to return for questioning by the senator-judges. The prosecution is then expected to call COA-ICFAO auditor Celine May Del Campo as its next witness.… pic.twitter.com/iv5rHmBSUl

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‘HINDI PRIMA FACIE EVIDENCE, SCAM ITO’Prosecution counsel Lorna Kapunan comments on the provision in the joint circular stating that an accountable officer's failure to liquidate public funds, upon demand, constitutes prima facie evidence that the missing funds were converted… pic.twitter.com/N6ryUHytsV

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A light moment in the impeachment trial as prosecution counsel Lorna Kapunan asks COA auditor Roderick Wamil if he knows defense counsel Michael Poa. Wamil says he has seen Poa on the news.“Hindi mo siya nakikita in person? Ayan oh,” Kapunan quips, pointing at Poa. … pic.twitter.com/sluCeEVZil

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Defense lawyer Michael Poa rejects prosecution counsel Lorna Kapunan's characterization of the OVP certifications as "copy-paste."COA auditor Roderick Wamil says the certifications are pro forma documents or standard forms annexed to Joint Circular No. 2015-01.Poa’s objection… pic.twitter.com/tOZH593DmB

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LOOK: "Mayroon po bang nagbabawal na gamitin ito in 11 days?" Defense counsel Michael Poa asks COA auditor Roderick Wamil whether Joint Circular No. 2015-01 prohibits confidential fund cash advances from being used within 11 days.Wamil replies, "Wala din po. Kaya hindi po namin… pic.twitter.com/g24XHuFpgl

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LOOK: Defense counsel Michael Poa presents COA Circular No. 92-385, issued in October 1992, which states that it is "impractical and sometimes impossible" to obtain receipts, bills, or commercial invoices during intelligence operations.Prosecution counsel Lorna Kapunan… pic.twitter.com/PzaPy77bKo

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LOOK: Defense counsel Michael Poa presents COA auditor Roderick Wamil with a document showing that the Office of the Vice President had a confidential fund allocation dated Dec. 22, 2014.Wamil had testified a day earlier that during his tenure at the COA Intelligence and… pic.twitter.com/oIE8XkNwlD

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‘HINDI PANGKARANIWAN, HINDI KAILANGAN, LABIS-LABIS O BONGGA KA DAY?’Former COA-ICFAO state auditor Roderick Wamil said that under the joint circular, the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) liquidation of confidential funds falls under “irregular expenditure.” … pic.twitter.com/qpbLkqLkUt

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TESTIFYING ON CONFIDENTIAL FUNDSLOOK: Former Commission on Audit (COA) state auditor Roderick Wamil testifies on the alleged non-compliance and deficiencies in the Office of the Vice President’s handling of confidential funds during the 12th day of Vice President Sara Duterte's… pic.twitter.com/4wgXosjJPC

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LOOK: COA auditor Roderick Wamil says that he was invited to a meeting at the Commission on Audit around the second week of September 2023 regarding the liquidation and audit of the Department of Education's confidential funds.He says those present included OVP Chief of Staff… pic.twitter.com/i6wokOxlCg

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COA auditor Roderick Wamil says the particulars in the Department of Education's 2023 disbursement vouchers state that they are payment of allotments under the maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE).Wamil explains that MOOE is part of the agency's regular funds and is… pic.twitter.com/6Aew4dEqXB

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‘KASAMA BA DIYAN ANG CHRISTMAS PARTY? TREE PLANTING? MAGBIBIGAY NG AWARDS?’House prosecutor Lorna Kapunan asked witness former COA-ICFAO state auditor Roderick Wamil if activities such as Christmas parties and tree planting are included in the allowable expenses for a… pic.twitter.com/crhOCeWvrz

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On the 12th day of Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, former COA-ICFAO auditor Roderick Wamil says OVP confidential fund liquidation for the second quarter of 2023, approved by Duterte, included expenditures for medical and food aid, incentives, and travel were disallowed under the Joint Circular governing confidential and intelligence funds.

“Nais po naming ipabatid ang aming nagkakaisang pagbati kay Bb. Alex Eala.”Presiding Officer Francis Escudero recognizes Filipino tennis ace Alex Eala for her Mubadala DC Open victory as he opens Day 12 of the impeachment trial on Tuesday, August 4. Follow our live… pic.twitter.com/elmM46cOVi

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Questioning now centers on the use of confidential funds by the Department of Education under Vice President Sara Duterte.COA auditor Roderick Wamil testifies that DepEd submitted no supporting documents for the listed programs, including activities against communist… pic.twitter.com/qXW4CTYAwF

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COA auditor Roderick Wamil testifies on the OVP's 2023 confidential funds Audit Observation Memoranda (AOMs) for the first and second quarters: – No documentary evidence for "payment of rewards" (P15M in Q1; P12M in Q2) -No supporting documents for medical, food aid (P82M… pic.twitter.com/9Tx730gnvu

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“Hinihingi po namin ang Inyong talino sa oras na ito”Senator-judge Robin Padilla leads the opening prayer at the start of Day 12 of Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial on Tuesday, August 4. Follow our live updates here: https://t.co/eI7Yo9RTOl​Watch… pic.twitter.com/kKubTcZiQ4

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COA witness Roderick Wamil tells impeachment court that OVP accomplishment report covering Feb. 6 to March 29, 2023 not allowed under the Joint Circular governing confidential and intelligence funds.

Lorna Kapunan requests a brief recess, saying they need more time to identify and cross-check acknowledgment receipts.

AOM vs notice of suspension vs notice of disallowance? COA auditor Roderick Wamil differentiates the three audit issuances: Audit Observation Memorandum (AOM): Flags deficiencies and gives the agency 15 days to explain or submit documents.Notice of Suspension: Issued when… pic.twitter.com/fWJVCaBNRB

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“With this historic triumph, Alex Eala became the first Filipino to win a WTA Tour-level singles title, marking a milestone never before…”

‘ISA DITO ANG TAGUMPAY NG ATING KABABAYAN NA SI ALEX EALA’Senate impeachment court presiding officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero congratulates Filipina tennis star Alex Eala for her victory at the Mubadala DC Open as he opened Day 12 of Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment… pic.twitter.com/YySCwBTcUQ

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COA auditor Roderick Wamil notes that two items in the Office of the Vice President's first-quarter 2023 accomplishment report are not allowable uses of confidential funds. He also says the report includes a line item for the payment of rewards, but the OVP did not submit… pic.twitter.com/iopHkQ8r9X

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Before the start of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial on Tuesday, Presiding Officer Francis Escudero congratulates Alex Eala.

An acknowledgment receipt bearing the name “Mary Grace Piattos” was presented before the Senate impeachment court on Monday as the prosecution continued presenting evidence under Article I of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

DAY 12: The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte resumes on Tuesday, August 4. A quorum has been declared, with 19 senator-judges present. | Follow our live updates here: https://t.co/eI7Yo9RTOlWatch the live stream here:… pic.twitter.com/3qtVB5Dr7m

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‘HINIHINGI PO NAMIN ANG INYONG TALINO SA ORAS NA ITO’Senator-judge Robin Padilla leads the opening prayer on Day 12 of Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial in the Senate, asking for guidance and wisdom for the senator-judges. Follow our live updates here:… pic.twitter.com/uouYgqNUTR

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The impeachment trial of Sara Duterte enters the 12th day, with the prosecution panel continues its presentation of evidence under Article I.

WATCH: During an ambush interview ahead of the 12th day of Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial, prosecution team member Atty. Lorna Kapunan announced plans to issue a subpoena for Mary Grace Piattos. | Follow our live updates here:… pic.twitter.com/w2m6KTGesw

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WATCH: Lead defense counsel Atty. Sheila Sison also arrived at the Senate for the 12th day of Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial. | Follow our live updates here: https://t.co/eI7Yo9RTOlWatch the live stream here: https://t.co/1Xpa7ZDXRS pic.twitter.com/cn2H999bef

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WATCH: Lead prosecutor Rep. Gerville Luistro arrived early at the Senate for Day 12 of Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial. | Follow our live updates here: https://t.co/eI7Yo9SrDTWatch the live stream here: https://t.co/1Xpa7ZEvHq pic.twitter.com/mtMguaiWmQ

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The impeachment trial will pick up where it left off Monday with Commission on Audit (COA) auditor Roderick Wamil at witness stand verifying.

House prosecutors presented acknowledgment receipts bearing questionable names and incomplete documentation in OVP’s liquidation