Metro Manila, Philippines – Malacañang said there are grounds to convict Vice President Sara Duterte over the confidential funds misuse in the Articles of Impeachment, citing testimony that she and her former security chief controlled the release of the funds.
Palace press officer Claire Castro said the prosecution has, at least on the issue of control over the funds, presented enough evidence to merit a conviction.
“Ayon sa Palasyo, in a way, in a way, yes. Pagdating sa pagturo kay bise presidente, kay Col. Lachica na sila ang nag-control ng pondo para sa confidential funds,” Castro said Tuesday, Aug. 25, referring to Col. Raymund Lachica.
[Translation: According to the Palace, in a way, yes, when it comes to identifying the vice president and Col. Lachica as those who controlled the confidential funds.]
Castro said the verdict rests with the senator-judges.
“Depende po iyan sa magiging desisyon ng mga judges,” Castro said.
[Translation: That will depend on the decision of the judges.]
The Palace cited the testimony of former Office of the Vice President special disbursing officer (SDO) Gina Acosta, who faced questions on how the confidential funds were released and liquidated.
During the trial, Senator-judge Imee Marcos questioned Acosta on whether Duterte personally handled or took any of the confidential funds.
Acosta said she never saw Duterte take or keep the money.
Castro said the absence of evidence that Duterte physically handled the cash did not necessarily absolve her of responsibility for how it was spent.
“Hindi kailangan makita ng SDO, personally kung nahawakan physically iyong pera, hindi naman kailangan hawakan ang pera magastos, puwedeng iutos lamang ito,” Castro said.
(Translation: The SDO does not need to personally see her physically handle the money. You do not need to physically hold the money for it to be spent. Its use can simply be ordered.)
Castro said Acosta testified that Duterte ordered the release of the ₱125 million in confidential funds to Army Col. Raymund Dante Lachica, who previously headed the vice president’s security detail.
“Mismo ang witness ay umamin na ang nag-utos na ibigay ang confidential fund, buo ay ang 125 million ay utos ng bise presidente sa kanyang security officer na si Colonel Lachica, pagdating sa OVP,” Castro said.
[Translation: The witness herself admitted that the order to release the entire ₱125 million in confidential funds to her security officer, Colonel Lachica, came from the vice president.
“So, ang ibig sabihin nito, ang may command, ang may kontrol ay walang iba kung ‘di si VP Sara,” she added.
(Translation: This means that the person who had command and control was none other than VP Sara.)
Under the 1987 Constitution, at least two-thirds of all Senate members must vote to convict an impeached official. With 24 senators, it will take 16 votes to convict Duterte on any one article of impeachment.
A conviction on even one article would remove Duterte from office. The Senate may also impose the additional penalty of disqualification from holding public office, which could prevent her from running for president in 2028.
Lachica’s role
Lachica emerged repeatedly in Acosta’s testimony as the official who allegedly implemented the OVP confidential activities on the ground.
Acosta said she relied on Lachica for information related to the confidential operations, while some details were not relayed to her because they were considered confidential.
Castro said this warranted further investigation by the Office of the Ombudsman.
“Mas maganda na iyong neutral na ahensya ang siyang mag-imbestiga para malaman kung mayroon bang kasalanan, pakikipagsabwatan, para magastos itong confidential funds,” she added.
[Translation: It would be better for a neutral agency to investigate to determine whether there was wrongdoing or collusion in the spending of these confidential funds.]
The Armed Forces of the Philippines has said it would leave the investigation of Lachica to the Ombudsman.
In a statement, Lachica said he is ready to face the Senate impeachment court.
“I have never refused to appear or testify; if lawfully called, I am prepared to tell the truth, subject to applicable laws and security restrictions,” he said in a statement to reporters.
The confidential funds allegations are only one of four articles Duterte faces before the impeachment court. Prosecutors are also pursuing allegations involving unexplained wealth, bribery and corruption at the Department of Education, and grave threats against Marcos, the first lady and former Speaker Martin Romualdez.
