MANILA, Philippines — The testimony of Vice President Sara Duterte’s security officer, Col. Raymund Dante P. Lachica, could introduce untested claims that may put the prosecution’s case at risk but would not automatically overturn the evidence already presented, a spokesman for the prosecution panel of the House of Representatives said.
Ace Barbers said the prosecution was weighing whether to call Lachica as a possible hostile witness would provide additional evidentiary value to its case involving the alleged misuse of confidential funds.
Unlike the testimonies of the OVP officials Gina Acosta and Lemuel Ortonio, Lachica’s account has yet to be heard by the prosecution, making it difficult for the panel to determine whether his testimony would strengthen, weaken or have no material effect on the evidence already on record.
“This Col. Lachica, we have not heard his [testimony] yet. Why would we call him? It’s going to be a risk for the prosecution,” Barbers said in an interview.
Barbers clarified that the risk did not mean Lachica could automatically overturn the prosecution’s case, but that he could introduce new assertions that the panel had not previously heard or had the opportunity to test.
The prosecution’s case includes sworn testimonies from Acosta, Ortonio and Fajarda on the alleged irregular disbursement and use of P612.5 million in confidential funds during earlier House proceedings.
Acosta testified before the impeachment court that P500 million in confidential funds, released in four P125-million tranches, was turned over to Lachica on Duterte’s instruction for the implementation of confidential activities.
Barbers said the panel therefore saw no immediate need to subpoena Lachica, whose testimony could introduce evidence that the prosecution has not yet heard.
“If Lachica’s testimony contains relevant information, the prosecution will address it; if it does not, the panel will rely on the evidence already established on record,” Barbers said.
