An aide to the Office of the Vice President (OVP) has told investigators that only Vice President Sara Duterte and a former official, Zuleika Lachica, knew the destination of the office’s confidential funds, according to Inquirer.net.
The statement was made in connection with an ongoing inquiry into the use of the OVP’s confidential funds. The aide’s testimony narrows the circle of people with direct knowledge of how the money was spent, Inquirer.net reports.
Lachica, who has been identified as a key figure in the matter, is not an employee of the OVP, according to a separate report from the Philippine News Agency. This detail was confirmed by a witness named Ortonio, who said Lachica held no official position within the office.
Inquirer.net also reports that Lachica is “prepared to tell the truth” if called to testify. However, Philstar.com notes that prosecutors are not keen on presenting Lachica as a witness in the proceedings. The Daily Tribune adds that both the Vice President and Lachica were aware of where the funds went, aligning with the aide’s account.
The inquiry centers on the handling of confidential funds allocated to the OVP, a topic that has drawn public scrutiny. The aide’s testimony provides investigators with a clearer picture of who controlled the funds, but it remains unclear whether Lachica will formally appear before the panel.
What to watch next is whether prosecutors change their stance on calling Lachica to testify, given the aide’s statement and Lachica’s expressed willingness to speak.
