Lachica ready to testify

Col. Raymund Dante Lachica, former head of Vice President Sara Duterte’s security detail, said on Tuesday he was prepared to testify before the Senate impeachment court if he is lawfully called.

“I have never refused to appear or testify; if lawfully called, I am prepared to tell the truth, subject to applicable laws and security restrictions,” Lachica said in a statement.

In a press briefing, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) told reporters that it had terminated its inquiry into allegations involving Lachica’s handling of confidential funds, which would allow the officer to attend the Senate impeachment trial.

“First of all, the AFP respects the jurisdiction of the Ombudsman and, of course, the right to due process,” AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said.

“So with this, we recommended the termination and conclusion of the inquiry into the allegations against him to avoid a duplication of functions, particularly since the Office of the Ombudsman has already taken cognizance of the complaints involving the individual concerned,” she added.

Meanwhile, the House prosecution panel is still deciding whether to call Lachica as a witness, despite his name surfacing repeatedly in testimony on the handling of the OVP’s confidential funds.

Rep. Gerville Luistro, one of the House prosecutors, said Tuesday she was personally inclined not to present Lachica, saying that former OVP special disbursing officer Gina Acosta’s testimony may be sufficient to establish the misuse of the funds.

“I will be very honest with you. I am more inclined not to present Lachica,” Luistro said, adding that her position was based on Acosta’s testimony that she had turned over the entire amount to Lachica.

Former OVP special disbursing officer Gina Acosta testified that she released P500 million in confidential funds to Lachica. She said the money was released in four tranches of P125 million each, and that Duterte had ordered her to release the funds to Lachica.