MANILA, Philippines — Senator-judges Raffy and Erwin Tulfo on Monday asked the Senate Impeachment Court to summon security officers Col. Raymund Dante Lachica and Col. Dennis Nolasco as witnesses to testify on the questionable confidential fund records of Vice President Sara Duterte.
On the 22nd day of the impeachment trial, Senator Raffy made the manifestation as Philippine Statistics Authority Assistant National Statistician Marizza Grande testified that some confidential fund payees listed by the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and Department of Education (DepEd) have no birth, marriage, and death records.
He said his concern extended beyond whether the names matched civil registry records, but on who supplied the names and why the signatures and handwriting on acknowledgement receipts all appears to be similar.
"What I did not like about it was that the signatures were identical, and the handwriting was the same across different names. So, right there that raises doubt," Senator Raffy said.
"The use of an alias could pass with me... because informants might be allowed to use aliases to protect their identity so they won't be compromised. But the signature of each one... was identical, and the handwriting filling up those names was the same. That means only one person filled them out,” he added.
To address the discrepancies, Tulfo urged the impeachment court to summon Lachica and Nolasco to clarify who authorized and executed the liquidation documents.
"So for me, it is really important to summon Lachica and his counterpart at DepEd, since they are the ones responsible for providing those names," he said.
His brother, Senator-judge Erwin Tulfo, also echoed his suggestion and asked Impeachment Court Presiding Officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero if he is also keen on inviting Lachica and Nolasco.
"Are we going to see Col. Lachica and Col. Nolasco here? Because I've been reading in the newspaper and news online that the prosecution is saying that they do not need to present Colonel Lachica and Velasco when in fact, Mr. Presiding Officer, all of us here, Senator-judges, would like to ask questions," Senator Erwin said.
"We would like to ask Colonel Lachica: ‘What is the real story here? Is the Vice President involved? Did you have her blessing? Or did you just pocket the money yourself—meaning you were the only one who pulled this off, and your boss had nothing to do with it?’” he added.
Asked by Escudero, House lead prosecutor Rep. Gerville Luistro confirmed that the panel no longer intends to present Lachica and Nolasco, saying evidence already introduced was sufficient to support its allegations of misuse and misappropriation of confidential funds.
The prosecution earlier identified Lachica and Nolasco as former security officers who figured in testimony involving the handling of confidential funds of the DepEd.
Escudero said the prosecution has the prerogative to determine its witnesses, but this does not prevent senator-judges from later deciding that the two should be heard.
"But should that not happen, Senator Judge Erwin Tulfo, nothing prevents the court from calling a witness. Not only as amicus curiae, but also as a witness, or even recalling a witness for that matter, should the court decide at the proper time to do so," he said.
Escudero said the court would first allow the prosecution and defense to complete their respective presentation of evidence.
"When we feel that there is a need, then we can discuss it and put it to a vote, if necessary," he added.
Lachica previously headed the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group, while Nolasco served as its deputy commander.
