FORMER Office of the Vice President (OV)) security officer Col. Raymund Dante Lachica and Ramil Madriaga will no longer be presented as prosecution witnesses in Vice President Sara Z. Duterte’s confidential fund case, House impeachment team adviser and spokesperson Ace Barbers said Friday.
“Si Colonel Lachica ay hindi na, at si Mr. Madriaga ay hindi na,” Barbers said during an online press conference Friday.
The announcement narrowed the expected witness lineup as the House prosecution works toward its September 9 target for concluding its presentation under Article I.
The Senate Impeachment Court earlier ordered COA employee Bresilio Sabaldan, former DepEd Assistant Secretary Sunshine Cherry Fajarda and Police Maj. Jovelyn Magay to testify from September 7 to 9.
Prosecutors also identified former DepEd special disbursing officer Eduard Fajarda and Philippine Statistics Authority official Marizza Grande among the prospective witnesses.
Barbers said the prosecution’s latest subpoena requests covered only the remaining witnesses considered necessary for its presentation.
“I think iyon na lamang iyong huli,” he said.
He then confirmed the removal of two witnesses whose possible appearances had long been discussed.
“So wala nang Madriaga, wala nang Lachica,” Barbers said.
Barbers said the prosecution could also dispense with Edward Fajarda’s appearance if the defense agreed to stipulate to facts concerning his designation and duties as DepEd’s special disbursing officer. Otherwise, the prosecution could proceed with the other witnesses included in its remaining schedule.
Manila Rep. Bienvenido M. Abante Jr. said the prosecution should focus on the respondent rather than continue calling subordinate officials who are not themselves facing impeachment.
“Hindi naman impeachable officer iyong papatawag na iyan,” Abante said, referring to Lachica and Madriaga. “Ipatawag natin iyong impeachable officer mismo,” he added.
Barbers agreed that the case before the Senate concerns Duterte’s accountability and fitness to remain in office, not whether the former officials named during testimony could themselves be impeached.
“Ang isyu ay hindi naman si Madriaga, si Lachica, si Nolasco. Ang isyu ay iyong ini-impeach,” Barbers said.
Abante said Duterte could directly address the allegations if she chose to appear before the court.
“Kung hindi siya dapat i-impeach, ipaliwanag niya iyong lahat ng mga allegation na iyan, whether she should be impeached or not,” Abante stressed.
metrosundaily
