Malacañang on Tuesday again criticized Senator Imee Marcos for what it described as an attempt to help Vice President Sara Duterte evade accountability in her impeachment trial.

Marcos, a senator-judge, had questioned witness Gina Acosta, Duterte’s former Special Disbursing Officer (SDO), on whether the Vice President had personally handled or taken any of the P125 million in confidential funds allocated to the Office of the Vice President.

Marcos also asked if Duterte was present when Acosta prepared the documents and reports in connection with the withdrawal of the funds. Acosta said she did not see Duterte take any of the money.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said Marcos had a right to ask clarificatory questions but her line of questioning showed she intended to clear Duterte of the allegations.

“First, she wanted the Vice President to get away from the accusations involving the spending of confidential funds. Her questions suggested the Vice President did not physically handle the money and was not involved in preparing the documents,” Castro said.

“But remember, the witness herself admitted that the order to release the entire P125 million came from the Vice President who instructed her security officer, Colonel Lachica, at the OVP,” she added.

Castro said this showed that the control and command over the funds came from Duterte.

“The Special Disbursing Officer does not have to personally see whether the money was physically handled. The money does not have to be physically handled — it can simply be ordered spent. Again, this shows that the control and command came from the Vice President, and former OVP SDO Gina Acosta herself admitted that the orders came from none other than the Vice President,” Castro said.

Castro also said that Acosta’s testimony revealed a pattern dating back to Duterte’s tenure as Davao City mayor, when she allegedly received millions in unliquidated confidential funds.

“These are public funds—and confidential funds are part of public funds,” Castro said.