MANILA, Philippines – There was nary a trace of regret or even apology on lawyer Lorna Kapunan’s face on Tuesday, August 4, and she explained to reporters a remark before the impeachment court that was stricken off the record almost immediately.
“Ang iniiscam, taong-bayan. Ang worth ng scam na ‘yan, P612.5 million…. Gusto ko lang sabihin ‘yun para maintindihan natin,” she told reporters in a quick chance interview past 12:30 pm, just minutes after she wrapped her direct examination of state auditor Roderick Wamil.
(You’re scamming the public. This scam is worth P612.5 million…. I just wanted to say that out loud so we all understand what’s happening.)
In closing her direct examination of Wamil, Kapunan quizzed him on his audit conclusions, based on a joint circular governing confidential funds.
Based on the circular, since Duterte’s Office of the Vice President (OVP) and Department of Education (DepEd) were found repeatedly lacking in their documentation and non-compliance in the liquidation of the confidential funds, “[there is a] presumption that the fund was converted into personal use or benefit.”
