Prosecution says Lachica testimony unnecessary to prove VP fund misuse

MANILA — The prosecution panel does not need Colonel Raymund Dante Lachica's testimony to prove its case against Vice President Sara Duterte regarding the alleged misuse of confidential funds, according to Ace Barbers, adviser and spokesperson for the House impeachment team.

Barbers said Saturday that the evidence already presented before the House of Representatives sufficiently establishes Duterte's role and responsibility as head of the Office of the Vice President and her authority in approving expenditures from the agency's confidential funds.

The statement comes as the impeachment inquiry continues to examine how the Vice President's office utilized its confidential and intelligence funds during her tenure. Duterte has been accused of misusing approximately 125 million pesos in confidential and discretionary funds during the fiscal years 2022 and 2023.

The prosecution team's position suggests they believe they have built a strong enough case based on documentary evidence and testimony already provided during the impeachment proceedings. Barbers' remarks indicate the team's confidence in the sufficiency of their evidence regardless of whether Lachica, a former official, takes the witness stand.

The impeachment process is expected to continue as lawmakers examine additional evidence and hear testimonies from witnesses and resource persons in the coming weeks.