The House prosecution team is deciding whether to call two military officers to testify in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, following revelations linking them to confidential fund disbursements from the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd).
During recent proceedings, former OVP special disbursing officer Gina Acosta testified that she handed over P125 million in cash to Col. Raymund Dante P. Lachica under Duterte’s direct instruction. Similarly, former DepEd special disbursing officer Edward Fajarda previously disclosed in a House hearing that confidential funds were transferred to Col. Dennis Nolasco.
Prosecutors view both officers as critical links between designated disbursing officials and the ultimate recipients of the funds. While their potential testimony could clarify the paper trail after the cash left official custody, the panel has yet to finalize its witness list.
“Paguusapan pa po kung ipre-present sila,” said House prosecutor and San Juan City Rep. Ysabel Maria “Bel” Zamora regarding Lachica and Nolasco.
House prosecution panel adviser and former Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert “Ace” Barbers noted that these transactions may be examined further as Acosta continues her testimony as a hostile witness.
“Itong mga susunod na mga oras at perhaps mga araw, in the same manner that the witness now is being declared as the hostile witness, I am sure na yung aming mga abogado ay tatanungin yung mga questions kagaya ng tanong mo,” Barbers stated. “Sa ngayon kasi we cannot preempt whatever it is, whatever questions that they will ask kay Gina and doon sa sinasabi mo kay Col. Lachica.”
Additionally, the prosecution is preparing for defense witnesses and remaining hostile individuals tied to Duterte’s Davao-based network.
“And we will expect also that most of the witnesses that they will present in the defense at saka yung hostile natin are actually from Davao. Kasi galing nga naman sila lahat sa Davao,” Barbers added.