Dropped witnesses could return if Senate impeachment court needs answers

Floyd Brenz., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
September 07, 2026

Photo Courtesy: Senate of the Philippines

PHILIPPINES – Two former security officers who were dropped from the prosecution’s witness list could still find themselves back in the spotlight as the Senate impeachment court keeps the door open to calling its own witnesses in Vice President Sara Duterte’s case.

Presiding Officer Senator Francis Escudero said senator-judges may summon Col. Raymund Dante Lachica and Col. Dennis Nolasco if their testimony becomes necessary before the court reaches a decision.

The possibility emerged after Senator-judge Erwin Tulfo questioned prosecutors on why the two officers would no longer testify despite being repeatedly mentioned in discussions on the handling of the questioned confidential funds.

House lead prosecutor Gerville Luistro said the prosecution decided to drop the two because the evidence already presented was sufficient to support its allegations involving the misuse and misappropriation of confidential funds.

But Escudero stressed that the prosecution’s decision does not tie the hands of the impeachment court. After both sides finish presenting their evidence, senator-judges may vote to call or even recall a witness if they believe additional testimony is needed to resolve a specific impeachment article.

If summoned, Lachica and Nolasco would not testify for either side. Instead, they would answer directly to questions from the senator-judges as witnesses of the court.

Lachica previously headed the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group, while Nolasco served as its deputy commander. Both have figured in earlier testimony concerning the handling of confidential funds.

For now, the court will allow the prosecution and defense to complete their cases. But if questions remain unanswered, witnesses once dropped from the case could still be called back to provide the missing pieces.