The court treated Ortoño as a hostile prosecution witness and allowed leading questions, while maintaining the prohibition on misleading questions. His defense cross-examination then addressed his role in OVP confidential-fund requests, audit replies, and supporting records.
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Witness record
August 26, 2026
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Lemuel G. Ortoño
Assistant Secretary and Assistant Chief of Staff, Office of the Vice President; prosecution witness
On redirect and recross, Ortoño confirmed that the 2022 and 2023 physical and financial plans included an expected outcome of safe implementation of OVP initiatives and confidence building. He also said the OVP transmitted the requested physical and financial plan to DBM and that COA's documents contained no indication that confidential funds had been used for regular OVP programs.
In senator-judge questioning, Ortoño said the OVP's drafted COA replies were sent to Vice President Sara Duterte for information, reference, and review. He said he consulted Colonel Raymond Dante Lachica about how funds for medical and food supplies had been released, and recounted being told that cash was released to informants or agents for those purchases.
Ortoño said he did not personally call an internal investigation after unusual names on acknowledgement receipts were raised in Congress. He said the instruction he received on the audit observations was to respond and consult the special disbursing officer and security officer; he also said the replies were provided to the Vice President for review and final approval before submission to COA.
In the closing questions, Ortoño said he had learned in October 2023, while preparing the response to the first audit observation memorandum, that Gina Acosta had given the funds to Colonel Lachica. He said Lachica was not an accountable officer under the Joint Circular, while adding that the head of agency could designate a security officer to implement programs and activities.
The expected Colonel Boran Singh did not appear, so the prosecution presented no additional witness that day. The court set September 1 for Colonel Boran Singh and Colonel Panopio, then excused Ortoño after the administrative matters.