MANILA, Philippines — Army Col. Raymund Dante Lachica said Tuesday he is ready to testify in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial if the Senate impeachment court or prosecution lawfully calls him to the witness stand amid allegations involving the use of about P500 million in confidential funds.
Lachica, the former chief of the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group (VPSPG), issued the statement through the Office of the Vice President after Tuesday’s hearing.
“I have never refused to appear or testify,” Lachica said. “If lawfully called, I am prepared to tell the truth, subject to applicable laws and security restrictions.”
Lachica has figured prominently in testimony from former OVP special disbursing officer Gina Acosta, who said during hearings on Aug. 17 and Aug. 24 that she turned over P125 million in confidential funds to him in December 2022 on Duterte’s instructions.
Acosta said she delivered the money, contained in four travel bags, to Lachica even though she knew he was not a bonded special disbursing officer.
The House prosecution team has not decided whether to call Lachica as a hostile witness.
House prosecutor Joel Chua said Monday that prosecutors still needed to finalize their witness lineup and determine the substance of their testimonies.
Prosecution counsel Amando Virgil Ligutan later confirmed that Lachica remained on the prosecution’s witness list but said the panel had yet to decide whether and when to present him.
Prosecution counsel Benjamin Tolosa Jr. said prosecutors needed to consider the risks of presenting a hostile witness because they could not control what the witness might say.
Lachica also appeared in allegations raised during a House hearing in April, when Ramil Madriaga claimed he had served as a “bagman” for Duterte and had worked with Lachica in delivering bags containing P125 million to various locations in December 2022.
Lachica denied knowing or working with Madriaga and questioned his credibility.
Meanwhile, Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said Tuesday that the AFP had ended its inquiry into allegations involving Lachica because a separate investigation by the Office of the Ombudsman was already underway.
Padilla said the AFP respected the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction and Lachica’s right to due process.
Lachica has remained on “unassigned” status at Philippine Army headquarters since Oct. 4, 2025, after his relief as VPSPG chief. Padilla said the status would allow him to remain available if authorities require him for an investigation or related proceedings.
The AFP said it would comply if the impeachment court summons Lachica to testify.
Bicol Saro Rep. Terry Ridon has also urged the Ombudsman to investigate Duterte, Lachica and Acosta over the use of confidential funds in 2022 and 2023.
