Isabela Vice Mayor Atty. Jeryll Harold Respicio on Thursday said former Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group chief Col. Dante Lachica and detained witness Ramil Madriaga should be presented as witnesses in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, saying the two could provide crucial information on the alleged misuse of confidential funds.
Respicio said Lachica could be the “missing link” in the prosecution’s case on the alleged misuse of confidential funds particularly on questions about how the money was spent and whether Duterte personally ordered its use.
“Prosecution, wrong move yan. Present na ninyo si Col. Lachica,” Respicio said during an interview on Bilyonaryo News Channel’s At The Forefront with Atty. Karen Jimeno.
He said the public deserves to know the truth about the alleged misuse of confidential funds.
“Ako din personal gusto ko lumabas ang katotohanan. Ang taongbayan gustong lumabas ang katotohanan,” Respicio said.
Respicio said even some senator-judges had described Lachica as a potential “missing link” in the case.
He said Lachica’s testimony could either strengthen or weaken the prosecution’s allegations depending on what he tells the impeachment court.
“Kung magkakaroon ng smoking gun, yung statement niya ang magsasabi na inutusan talaga siya ni VP Sara Duterte” to misuse the funds,” Respicio said.
“Siya lamang ang link. Kapag hindi prinesenta ng prosecution yung missing link, wala silang ma-establish na case,” he added.
Respicio, however, acknowledged that presenting Lachica would be a gamble for the prosecution.
He said Lachica could also explain the expenditures and give the same explanations previously offered by Duterte and her camp, which could expose weaknesses in the prosecution’s case.
“At the same time, double-edged sword yan, Atty. Karen,” Respicio said.
“Pag statement ni Col. Lachica, explain niya mabuti ang paggastos and same explanations ang nangyari, wala silang mahahanap na butas at masisira yung kanilang kaso,” he added.
On the other hand, Respicio said Lachica’s testimony could become damaging to Duterte if he confirms that she ordered him to misuse confidential funds or falsify names in liquidation documents.
“At the same time, risk din yan, gamble yan pag na-elicit nila sa bunganga ni Col. Lachica na inutusan talaga siya ni VP Sara na i-misappropriate yung pera at pekein yung mga pangalan,” Respicio said.
“Doon lalabas ang katotohanan,” he added.
Respicio said the prosecution should not withhold a potentially crucial witness merely as a matter of trial strategy, saying that the impeachment proceedings should ultimately establish the truth.
“Tandaan po natin kapag nagwi-witness ang isang tao to tell the whole truth at ang buong objective ng impeachment trial ay ilabas ang buong katotohanan,” he said.
He urged the prosecution to present Lachica so the senator-judges and the public could evaluate his testimony.
“Kaya dapat ilabas ninyo si Col. Lachica, i-present siya as witness para masagot na ang lahat ng tanong at makapag-judge ng maayos ang ating senator-judges at publiko,” Respicio said.
Respicio also called for Madriaga to testify before the impeachment court.
Madriaga has executed an affidavit claiming that he delivered confidential funds to various locations.
Asked whether Madriaga could help establish the alleged misuse of confidential funds and why he had yet to be presented, Respicio said the prosecution should bring him to the witness stand.
“Ilabas na din yan si Mr. Madriaga para matesting po doon yung mga sinabi niya sa mini-trial sa Congress,” Respicio said.#