: Col. Raymund Lachica
UP Diliman Law Professor Atty. John Molo believes the prosecution panel has already “closed” its narrative on the alleged misuse and abuse of confidential funds of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and Department of Education (DepEd) during Vice President Sara Duterte’s tenure as education secretary.
According to Molo, the burden of evidence has now shifted to the defense, which must prove Duterte’s innocence.
“It’s the defense’s job at this point. The best person to explain where the money went is the one who actually used it,” he said in an interview on One News’ Sa Totoo Lang.
Molo noted that senator-judges are awaiting the defense panel’s explanation, especially since testimonies from OVP and DepEd officials revealed they had no knowledge of where more than ₱500 million in confidential funds were spent.
“The question now from the public is: so who really knows?” Molo asked. “Not Acosta, not Ortonio, not Poa — only Lachica.”
Former VPSPG Chief Col. Raymund Lachica was identified as the last official to have handled the OVP’s confidential funds.
Meanwhile, former DepEd SDO Edward Fajarda testified before the House in October 2024 that he turned over the department’s confidential funds to Col. Dennis Nolasco of the VPSPG. # (ZIA LUNA)
