Senator Imee Marcos Relentlessly Grills Impeachment Witness Roderick Wamil

Senator Marcos pointed to Joint Circular No. 2015-01, arguing that the designated Special Disbursing Officer (SDO) who maintains custody of the funds—specifically naming Gina Acosta for the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and Edward Fajarda for the Department of Education (DepEd)—holds the direct legal status of the accountable officer, rather than the agency head. Witness Roderick Wamil responded that accountability is not limited to the SDO alone. He explained that while the SDO holds physical possession and custody of the funds, the head of the agency also carries primary accountability under the joint circular to approve cash advances, oversee agency-wide utilization, and ensure full compliance with government rules. When Senator Marcos pressed for a direct agreement that custody dictates sole accountability, Wamil maintained that agency heads share ultimate responsibility for how confidential funds are managed and spent. #VPSaraOnTrial #NetRepublic