By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA, Philippines — The Senate impeachment court may still compel two former security officials of Vice President Sara Duterte to testify if senator-judges determine that their accounts are necessary to resolve issues in the impeachment case, Presiding Officer Francis Escudero said Monday.
The possibility emerged after Senator-Judge Erwin Tulfo pressed the House prosecution panel on its decision to drop Col. Raymund Dante Lachica and Col. Dennis Nolasco from its witness lineup despite their repeated mention in testimony concerning the handling of confidential funds.
House lead prosecutor Gerville Luistro confirmed that the prosecution would no longer present the two officers, saying the evidence already submitted was sufficient to establish its allegations involving the misuse and misappropriation of confidential funds.
But Escudero made clear that the prosecution’s decision does not prevent the impeachment court from hearing the former security officers if the senator-judges later find their testimony necessary.
Lachica previously headed the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group, while Nolasco served as its deputy chief. Both were identified in testimony involving the handling of confidential funds of the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education during Duterte’s tenure.
Escudero said the two could still appear as common witnesses if the defense decides to call them, noting that their names were included in the pre-trial order.
If neither side presents them, however, the court itself retains the authority to summon them.
The presiding officer said such a move would be considered only after the prosecution and defense have completed their respective presentations of evidence. The senator-judges could then determine whether additional testimony is needed and put the matter to a vote, if necessary.
Escudero also clarified that a witness summoned by the impeachment court would not become a witness for either the prosecution or the defense.
Instead, the witness would answer questions directly from the senator-judges.
The issue gained renewed attention after Senator-Judges Erwin and Raffy Tulfo sought answers from the former security officials regarding the confidential-fund transactions and the identities appearing in acknowledgment receipts.
The prosecution, meanwhile, maintained that its existing witnesses and documentary evidence already establish the allegations involving the questioned funds.
For now, Lachica and Nolasco remain outside the prosecution’s witness list. Their appearance before the impeachment court, however, has not been completely ruled out, with Escudero leaving open the possibility that the senator-judges themselves could call them later in the proceedings.
ia/xf
