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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Ortonio confirms VP Duterte's signature in two documents were different

Ortonio confirms VP Duterte's signature in two documents were different

Published Aug 25, 2026 02:09 pm

At A Glance

  • This was after Senate Impeachment Court Presiding Officer Francis "Chiz" Escudero pointed out the difference in Vice President Sara Duterte's signature on a document dated Sept. 16, 2022 and her signature on a request letter for confidential funds on Aug. 22, 2022.
Office of the Vice President Chief of Staff Lemuel Ortonio on Tuesday, August 25 admitted that the signatures of Vice President Sara Duterte in two documents pertaining to confidential funds were different.
This was after Senate Impeachment Court Presiding Officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero pointed out the difference in Duterte’s signature on a document dated Sept. 16, 2022 and her signature on a request letter for confidential funds on Aug. 22, 2022.
The documents were presented by Atty. Mae Divinagracia, a member of the House prosecution panel. 
“The Court noticed that the signature of the Vice President in this (September) document appears to be different (from) the signature in the August 22 document. So the vice president has at least two signatures, so far. Can you confirm that both are her signatures?” asked Escudero.
To which Ortonio replied in the affirmative, saying both signatures are Duterte’s.
“Yes, I can confirm, Your Honor, that both are the signatures of the Vice President,” Ortonio said.When Escudero asked Ortonio if it is possible for that to happen, the latter replied again in the affirmative.
“Yes, that’s correct, Your Honor,” he said.
Also during the trial, Ortonio confirmed before the impeachment court Duterte’s signature on a letter requesting for P125-million confidential funds in 2022, right after taking over the OVP from then Vice President and now Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo. 
During the course of the trial, it was learned that Robredo never requested a confidential fund allocation in the six years she served as vice president.
Ortonio confirmed Duterte’s signature on a letter where she requested for P125-million worth of confidential funds, which did not undergo the usual administrative assessment or budget recommendation of other administrative units of the OVP.
“It was the Vice President (herself), Your Honor. The amount came directly from Vice President Sara Duterte,” Ortonio said.
Ortonio also confirmed that the said amount was withdrawn and disbursed in just 11 days, from Dec. 21 to Dec. 31, 2022, based on official liquidation receipts.
Earlier, Escudero declared Ortonio as a hostile witness since the Court has established that "he still serves at the pleasure of the Vice President."
The Presiding Officer said Ortonio has been working for her for quite some time and is currently serving at the OVP, and stands to lose his position should Duterte is removed from office.

Related Tags

Duterte impeachment case 2026 VP Sara Duterte Senate impeachment court impeachment trial
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