AS the House prosecution gears to wrap up its confidential fund presentation, Manila Rep. Bienvenido M. Abante Jr. on Friday said Vice President Sara Z. Duterte—not former security officer Col. Raymund Dante Lachica—is the person who should appear before the Senate Impeachment Court and explain the questioned transactions.
Abante said the testimony of former Office of the Vice President special disbursing officer Gina Acosta had already established the prosecution’s central reason for identifying Lachica in the fund trail.
“More than enough na ang testimony ni Ms. Gina Acosta,” Abante said during an online press conference Friday.
Acosta testified that she released four ₱125-million cash tranches to Lachica upon Duterte’s instruction. She also said she did not personally witness how Lachica implemented the activities or distributed the money, and that she relied on the reports and documents he gave her.
“Matatawag po natin na overkill na ito kung iimbitahin pa natin si Colonel Lachica,” Abante said.
House impeachment team adviser and spokesperson Ace Barbers supported Abante’s position, saying the witnesses and documents already presented had addressed the prosecution’s allegations concerning the transfer of the funds.
“Hindi naman necessary iyong statement ni Colonel Lachica dahil all the previous witnesses na iniharap ng prosecution at iyong mga ebidensyang ipinakita sa impeachment court already substantiate iyong ating allegations sa Article I,” Barbers said.
Barbers cited the testimony of Acosta, OVP Assistant Secretary Lemuel Ortonio and former DepEd chief of staff Michael Wesley Poa, who each described limits to their personal knowledge of how the confidential funds were ultimately used.
“Ang tanong, sino ang may alam?” Barbers said.
He said the prosecution could still meet its September 9 target for completing Article I, depending on the remaining testimony and whether the defense agreed to stipulate to certain facts concerning former DepEd special disbursing officer Eduard Fajarda.
“Yes, we might be able to finish by next week, September 9, according to our chief prosecutor, Jinky Luistro,” Barbers said.
Abante said the remaining questions should now be answered by the official whose actions and fitness for office are being tried. “Imbes na si Fajarda o si Lachica ang humarap, bakit hindi pa humarap si Vice President?” he asked.
He noted that Duterte had previously appeared before House committees and continued addressing issues through public statements and media appearances.
“Hindi na kailangan si Lachica. Ang kailangang humarap diyan ay ang Vice President mismo,” Abante said.
He ended with a direct appeal: “Madam Vice President, humarap ka na.”
metrosundaily
