Impeachment Prosecutors Drop Key Witnesses in VP Duterte Case

MANILA, Philippines — Impeachment prosecutors have decided not to call three individuals who could have provided key testimonies in the ongoing impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte. The prosecution panel stated that they already possess a strong case, particularly concerning the first article of impeachment which alleges the misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds. Prosecution spokesperson and adviser Robert Ace Barbers announced on Friday that the allegations of misuse, misappropriation, and irregular liquidation of these funds have been substantiated by previous witnesses. Consequently, they will no longer summon former Duterte aide Ramil Madriaga, nor former Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group (VPSPG) officials Colonel Dennis Nolasco and Colonel Raymund Dante Lachica. Colonel Lachica, formerly the head of VPSPG, was identified by former special disbursing officer Gina Acosta as having received P500 million in confidential funds from the Office of the Vice President (OVP), despite not being a bonded official. Similarly, Colonel Nolasco allegedly played a comparable role concerning confidential funds from the Department of Education (DepEd), according to previous testimonies in the House by former DepED special disbursement officer Edward Fajarda. Barbers emphasized that the fact that neither Lachica nor Nolasco were employees of the OVP or DepEd, combined with their alleged involvement in the questionable use and liquidation of these funds, already demonstrates violations. This decision by the prosecution to forgo these witnesses may shape the trajectory of the impeachment proceedings against the Vice President.