The House prosecution team intends to present additional witnesses to bolster its case against Vice President Sara Duterte over the alleged mismanagement of confidential funds, according to former Surigao del Norte 2nd District Representative Robert Ace Barbers.
Speaking during a virtual press conference on Friday, August 28, Barbers asserted that while current evidence is sufficient for conviction, prosecutors remain focused on building an unassailable case.
“Sa amin, sapat na so far, at meron pang idadagdag,” Barbers said.
“Sa amin, sa prosecution, ay tuloy-tuloy lamang na buuin ’yung litrato o ’yung puzzle. Kasi bawat piyesa, bawat part ng puzzle na ’yan ay magbibigay ng totoong litrato o picture kung ano itong usapin na ’yan, o ano itong allegation na ito,” he added.
Duterte is accused of misusing ₱612.5 million in confidential funds split between the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) during her tenure heading both agencies.
Prosecution proceedings have so far detailed the requisition, release, utilization, and liquidation of the funds, alongside audit observations from the Commission on Audit regarding disallowed expenditures.
High-profile witnesses previously called include OVP officials Gina Acosta and Lemuel Ortonio, both declared hostile by the Senate impeachment court.
Acosta testified that she transferred four separate tranches of ₱125 million—totaling ₱500 million—to former OVP security chief Col. Raymund Dante Lachica upon Duterte’s instructions. Meanwhile, Ortonio confirmed Duterte approved confidential operations, though he lacked direct knowledge of their execution.
Future testimony will focus on the remaining ₱112.5 million in confidential funds allocated to DepEd.
Barbers emphasized that the additional testimonies aim to provide senator-judges with a comprehensive factual basis when delivering a final verdict.
“‘Pag dumating sa punto na kung saan ay magdedesisyon ang ating mga senator-judges, eh marami silang pwedeng paghuhugutan ng basehan para sa kanilang mga desisyon, na base sa ebidensya,” Barbers stated.