Metro Manila, Philippines – The prosecution panel in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte has dropped a number of witnesses on the alleged misuse of confidential funds, including the security officers who supposedly provided money to beneficiaries, an alleged recipient, and a self-confessed bagman for the respondent.
On Monday, Sept. 7, prosecution spokesperson Zia Adiong said it will no longer present the name “Mary Grace Piattos” – who was listed as a recipient of the Office of the Vice President’s confidential funds.
\Assistant National Statistician Marizza Grande testified at the Impeachment Court that the Philippine Statistics Authority had no records of a “certain Mary Grace Piattos.”
“Mahirap naman po hanapin ang taong wala at ‘di nag-e-exist,” Adiong said.
[Translation: It’s difficult to summon a person who does not exist.]
Before the trial adjourned on Monday, lead prosecutor Jinky Luistro also told the court it will no longer present Duterte’s former security officers – Col. Raymund Lachica and Col. Dennis Nolasco – despite persistent calls of some-senator judges.
“It is our humble submission that the allegation of misuse and misappropriation of confidential funds have been satisfied already by the testimony of witnesses presented,” she said.
In an interview with NewsWatch Plus, Jay Tolosa, prosecution counsel and spokesperson there is no change in prosecution’s call to drop Lachica and Nolasco, even as the defense team finally admitted that the recipients of confidential funds are aliases and not real people.
Tolosa explained that the prosecution’s decision was based on the assessment of previous testimonies that showed violations to the use of confidential funds, and not on whether the names of recipients are aliases.
He said the prosecution is ready to cross examine the two security officers should the defense summon them, when it is their turn to present evidence
Presiding Officer Chiz Escudero said “nothing prevents the court” from calling the two witnesses if it decides to do so, should both parties not present the former security officers.
Meanwhile, another controversial witness, Ramil Madriaga – who claimed at a congressional hearing that he delivered the ₱125 million confidential funds of Duterte in less than one day – will not be presented as well.
“His testimony is unnecessary,” said Tolosa, denying claims that Madriaga is a weak witness in light of the perjury complaints against him.
The prosecution is down to its last three witnesses on the alleged fund misuse, as the panel aims to wrap up its presentation for Article 1 within the week.
