Nelson Morales

(From left) Sen. Panfilo 'Ping' Lacson and Sen. Erwin Tulfo. Photos by Wendell D. Alinea (Lacson) and Voltaire Domingo (Tulfo), Senate Social Media Unit

Article (news)

Jaehwa Bernardo

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1787728290229composites5 2.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>(From left) Sen. Panfilo &#x27;Ping&#x27; Lacson and Sen. Erwin Tulfo. Photos by Wendell D. Alinea (Lacson) and Voltaire Domingo (Tulfo), Senate Social Media Unit</div>MANILA — Senator-judges in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte sought Wednesday for a subpoena for documents on the use of confidential funds, as well as the appearance of Army Col. Raymund Dante Lachica, Duterte&#x27;s former security chief.During the proceedings, Sen. Panfilo &quot;Ping&quot; Lacson asked Office of the Vice President Assistant Secretary Lemuel Ortonio about the security classification of the documents, including the Physical and Financial Plan for confidential funds.&quot;Ang dami saming nagtataka talaga, totoo ba talaga &#x27;yong aliases [of informants], totoo &#x27;yong nakatanggap sila reward, informant money,&quot; Lacson said.(Many of us are wondering if these aliases, if these people really received reward money.)He said that presenting &quot;documents relative to the PAPs [Programs, Activities, Projects], relative to the PFP [Physical and Financial Plan], relative to the expected outcome&quot; would help senator-judges determine where the money went.Addressing presiding officer Sen. Francis Escudero, Lacson said, &quot;Is it possible for the court to issue subpoena duces tecum just to settle this issue once and for all... So we can have informed decision at the proper time.&quot;But Escudero said the court should leave it to the prosecution to subpoena the documents, adding that the court could ask for them after both parties have presented their evidence.&quot;The court is not without any power after both counsels have presented their respective evidences in chief, to call a witness, recall a witness, call a witness that was not called by either or named by either party and subpoena documents,&quot; he said.Later, Sen. Erwin Tulfo also suggested calling Lachica, witnesses identified as the person who spent the confidential funds for various activities and operations.Lachica&#x27;s appearance would fill &quot;gaping holes in the testimony&quot; of other witnesses, Tulfo argued.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/26/only-vp-duterte-ex-security-head-lachica-knew-how-confidential-funds-were-spent-witness-1319">Only VP Duterte, ex-security head Lachica knew how confidential funds were spent — witness </a></div>Escudero offered a similar response to Tulfo, saying, &quot;We cannot compel either party to call a witness. However, after the presentation of the parties&#x27; evidence in chief, the court may exercise its discretion to call a witness.&quot;&quot;That time will come should Col. Lachica not be called by either party,&quot; said Escudero.Lachica has expressed willingness to testify before the Senate impeachment court.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/25/lachica-says-prepared-to-tell-truth-on-confidential-funds-1717">READ: Lachica says ‘prepared to tell truth’ on confidential funds </a></div>The court is currently hearing allegations that Duterte misused confidential funds of the OVP and the Department of Education, which she previously headed.

Senator-judges in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday sought subpoenas for documents on the use of confidential funds, as well as the appearance of Army Col. Raymund Dante Lachica.

Senator-judges in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday sought subpoenas for documents on the use of confidential funds, as well as the appearance of Army Col. Raymund Dante Lachica.

Senators seek subpoena for confidential funds docs, Lachica appearance

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Senators seek subpoena for confidential funds docs, Lachica appearance

Jaehwa Bernardo,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 26, 2026 03:52 PM PHT

Read More:

Sara Duterte impeachment trial

Ping Lacson

Erwin Tulfo

Raymund Dante Lachica

confidential funds

Francis Escudero

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