The Senate impeachment court resumed its 10th trial day on July 22, with Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero presiding and Senate President Win Gatchalian leading the opening prayer. Fourteen senators were present as Land Bank personnel prepared to testify on Article I of the impeachment complaint involving the alleged misuse of confidential funds. COURTESY: Senate of the Philippines/YouTube.
House prosecutors in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial said they had gathered enough evidence on the alleged misuse of confidential funds to proceed without testimony from three individuals previously expected to take the witness stand.
Prosecution spokesperson Robert Ace Barbers said Friday that former Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group officials Col. Raymund Lachica and Col. Dennis Nolasco, along with former Duterte aide Ramil Madriaga, would no longer be summoned for Article I.
Article I centers on the alleged misuse of Php 612.5 million in confidential funds, consisting of Php 500 million spent by the Office of the Vice President from 2022 to 2023 and Php 112.5 million released to the Department of Education in 2023. Prosecutors are aiming to complete their presentation on the article by Sept. 9, although they have described the date as a working target.
Barbers said earlier testimony had already addressed issues prosecutors expected Lachica to clarify. Former OVP special disbursing officer Gina Acosta testified that Duterte directed her to turn over confidential fund cash to Lachica, who headed the Vice President’s security detail. Prosecutors have highlighted that Lachica was not an OVP employee and was not a bonded disbursing officer.
Nolasco figured separately in testimony concerning DepEd funds. Former Education Undersecretary Michael Poa testified about confidential fund transactions involving former special disbursing officer Edward Fajarda and Nolasco. Prosecutors have used testimony concerning the two security officers to question whether the funds were handled in accordance with government rules.
Madriaga had earlier appeared before the House, where he alleged that Php 125 million released to the OVP in December 2022 was moved in four bags and distributed within a day. Prosecutors said evidence subsequently presented during the Senate trial had covered portions of the transactions he was expected to discuss.
The decision to dispense with the three witnesses came as the prosecution looked to accelerate its remaining presentation. The panel is separately considering whether to skip Article III on alleged bribery involving DepEd procurement officials and move directly to Article II on alleged unexplained wealth. No final decision on dropping Article III had been announced as of Thursday.
Prosecutors have already received subpoenaed bank and tax records involving Duterte, her husband Manases Carpio and their associated businesses as they prepare for a possible Article II presentation. The documents are now being reviewed for potential use before the impeachment court.
Barbers maintained that the evidence already presented was sufficient for the prosecution’s Article I allegations, but acknowledged that the conclusion was the panel’s own assessment. The senator-judges will ultimately determine the weight of the prosecution and defense evidence before deciding Duterte’s liability.