MANILA, Philippines – Hindi na ipipresenta ng House prosecution panel sina Ramil Madriaga, Col. Raymund Lachica, at Col. Dennis Nolasco bilang mga witness sa impeachment trial ni Vice President Sara Duterte.
“We won’t present Lachica. It is not necessary because the previous witnesses’ testimony already substantiates our allegations,” sinabi ni prosecution panel adviser Robert Ace Barbers sa online press conference.
Sumang-ayon naman dito si Manila Rep. Benny Abante at sinabing ang pagpapakilala ng mas maraming witness na hindi empleyado ng OVP ay magiging “overkill.”
“We have more than enough with Ms. Gina Acosta’s testimony. Can you imagine the Vice President ordering the transfer of P125 million every quarter to one person, who is Lachica?” sinabi ni Abante.
Sina Lachica at Nolasco ay nagsilbi bilang chief at deputy chief ng Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group.
Sila umano ang nag-disburse ng confidential fund ng Office of the Vice President at Department of Education.
Humarap na sa imbestigasyon ng Kamara si Madriaga na umano’y bagman ni Duterte kung saan noong 2022 ay sinabi niyang naghatid siya ng milyon-milyong piso sa iba’t ibang tao batay sa utos ni Duterte.
Sina Lachica, Nolasco at Madriaga ay kabilang sa listahan ng mga witness na ipinresenta ng prosekusyon sa paglilitis.
“With the witnesses that the prosecution panel has presented, we have already proven that, and it’s now in the hands of our senator-judges to weigh the witnesses and evidence we have presented, so there is no need for these additional witnesses – Col. Nolasco, Col. Lachica and Madriaga,” sinabi ni Barbers.
“Let’s subpoena the Vice President…let’s go to the jugular,” ayon naman kay Abante.
“We have the option to call her, but we can’t force her,” sinabi ni House impeachment prosecutor Joel Chua.
Samantala, sinabi ni House prosecution panel head Gerville Luistro na ang listahan ng mga witness sa nalalabing mga article ay isinasailalim sa reevaluation.
Layon ng panel na tapusin ang presentasyon ng mga witness sa article of impeachment sa paggamit ng confidential funds sa Setyembre 9. RNT/JGC
