Malacañang said it is convinced that the prosecution has presented “sufficient evidence” to convict Vice President Sara Duterte in the ongoing impeachment trial over alleged misuse of confidential funds.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro told reporters that testimony from former OVP disbursing officer Gina Acosta revealed a long-standing practice of entrusting confidential funds to security aide Col. Raymund Dante Lachica, dating back to Duterte’s tenure as Davao City mayor.
“Ayon sa Palasyo, in a way, in a way, yes. Pagdating sa pagturo kay Bise Presidente, kay Col. Lachica na sila ang nag-control ng pondo para sa confidential funds,” Castro said when asked if the evidence was enough to convict Duterte.
She stressed, however, that the final decision rests with the senator-judges: “Depende po iyan sa magiging desisyon ng mga judges. Lagi naman nilang sinasabi na ito ay pulitika at mukhang hindi sila pupunta sa ebidensiya.”
Castro argued that the public expects the trial to hinge on facts rather than politics:
“Mas marami ang gusto na ebidensiya ang gamitin kaysa sa isyu ng pulitika. Kasi kapag ebidensiya ang ginamit natin, mas matutugunan natin, unang-una, ang due process, justice, at kung ano ang nararapat at magiging benepisyo nito sa ating bansa at sa taumbayan.”
She also criticized Acosta’s testimony as “scripted”:
“Dito ay makikita ng sambayanang Pilipino kung paano naging dekahon ang sagot ng witness. Paulit-ulit kahit sa ang daling tanong, doon pa rin at doon at doon ang iikot ang sagot niya. ‘Pag hindi na niya alam, sasabihin niya hindi naiintindihan or hindi niya alam. Pero lumalabas pa rin ang totoo, dahil itinuro niya pa rin si VP Sara at saka si Colonel Lachica.” # ( ZIA LUNA)
