Senator Raffy Tulfo pressed a senior aide of Vice President Sara Duterte on the use of a ₱500 million confidential fund, questioning whether cash was improperly given to informants for medicines and supplies.
Senator’s remarks spark a heated exchange
During a Senate session, Tulfo said the public is angered by what he described as the squandering of the secret money, then used a Filipino phrase that likened the aide’s explanation to “tanga‑tangahan,” or acting foolishly.
The remark prompted a sharp rebuke from Lemuel Ortonio, the Office of the Vice President’s Assistant Chief of Staff, who said he took personal offense at being called “tanga‑tangahan.”
“With all due respect, your honor, I personally take offense on that comment, sir,” Ortonio said, emphasizing that he merely performed duties assigned to him within the limits of his authority.
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Tulfo countered that the higher the official, the greater the responsibility to question fund allocations, especially when the money was allegedly used to pay informants.
Ortonio’s defense of the fund’s usage
Ortonio explained that the Office’s security officer, Colonel Raymund Lachica, told him the cash was intended to enable informants to purchase needed medicines after the Commission on Audit flagged the expense.
He added that he drafted the office’s written response to the audit, believing the transaction complied with existing laws.
When asked why he did not directly question Lachica about the rationale, Ortonio said he was not involved in the day‑to‑day execution of the confidential activities, and thus was unsure if it was his responsibility to know every detail.
“I did my work based on what was tasked of me, including the limitations that I can do to the duty that I will be doing,” he said, noting that the audit’s adverse findings were still pending final resolution because the office had filed a motion for reconsideration.
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Other legislators question the procurement process
Senator Francis Pangilinan pressed Ortonio on whether the cash disbursement adhered to the required bidding procedures for public purchases, noting that Ortonio chaired the Bids and Awards Committee.
Pangilinan asked if the P122 million given to informants was truly spent on medicines, or if the practice was common when handling public money.
Ortonio responded that his awareness of the cash disbursement came only after the audit memorandum arrived, and that, based on his understanding, the process was lawful.
Tulfo concluded his questioning by saying the offense taken by Ortonio pales in comparison to the offense felt by “napakaraming Pilipino” over the alleged misuse of public money.
