Manila, April 21 -- Accountability for the use of confidential funds lies with Vice President Sara Duterte, Malacanang said on Tuesday after a new Commission on Audit's (COA) issuance of notice of disallowance for the Office of the Vice President (OVP).

Speaking to reporters, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said COA rulings serve as the official basis for determining whether government funds were properly utilized, emphasizing that the agency head is ultimately responsible for explaining expenditures.

Castro made the statement after COA issued a latest notice of disallowance involving PHP375 million in confidential funds in 2023.

She noted that COA had previously dismissed an appeal involving the OVP's PHP73 million in confidential ...