Who is Col. Raymund Dante Lachica?

Col. Raymund Dante Lachica is a Philippine Army officer who became a nationally known figure through his former role as head of Vice President Sara Duterte’s security detail. He served as the group commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Security and Protection Group (ASPG), which was previously known as the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group (VPSPG). His name has repeatedly surfaced in the Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Duterte, largely due to his alleged role in handling confidential and intelligence funds tied to the Office of the Vice President (OVP).

This profile covers what has been publicly reported about Lachica’s military position, his connection to the OVP’s disputed funds, and the controversy that led to his reassignment. It’s worth noting upfront that verified details about his early life, education, and personal background are not part of the public record available at this time, so this piece focuses strictly on his documented military and public career.

Military Role and Position

Lachica held the rank of colonel in the Philippine Army. He led the AFP Security and Protection Group, the unit tasked with protecting the Vice President, before it was renamed from its earlier designation as the VPSPG. As the officer in charge of this unit, Lachica was directly responsible for coordinating security operations connected to Vice President Duterte’s office.

Beyond his security duties, reporting from the impeachment trial indicates that Lachica’s responsibilities extended into the financial side of the OVP’s operations. Testimony presented during the trial identified him as the person who handled the ₱500 million in confidential funds on Vice President Duterte’s orders, despite concerns raised about documentation and accountability. A former special disbursing officer of the OVP testified that Lachica was the sole implementer responsible for overseeing ground operations funded by the ₱500 million in confidential and intelligence funds allocated to the office from late 2022 to 2023.

How the Confidential Funds Were Structured

According to testimony given during the impeachment hearings, the confidential and intelligence funds were released in four tranches of ₱125 million each, with the first tranche spent within just 11 days, from December 21 to December 31, 2022. Within that first tranche, medical and food aid accounted for the largest portion at ₱40 million, while ₱35 million was allocated to the purchase of supplies, bringing the combined total for those two categories to ₱75 million.

This breakdown became a focal point of scrutiny during the trial. Prosecutors questioned the absence of a single official receipt documenting that any of the funds were used to purchase basic medicines such as paracetamol. The lack of clear documentation is central to the broader allegations against the OVP regarding how the confidential funds were spent and accounted for.

Reassignment From the Vice Presidential Security Post

Lachica’s tenure as head of the security group came to an end in October 2025, following the emergence of a case against him at the Office of the Ombudsman. The Armed Forces of the Philippines confirmed that Lachica was transferred back to the Philippine Army effective October 4, 2025, and was replaced by Lt. Col. Joseph Israel Eleosida. In an official statement, the AFP said the reassignment was made in view of an existing case filed before the Office of the Ombudsman involving Lachica and former VPSPG deputy commander Col. Dennis Nolasco.

Following his removal from the post, Lachica’s military status remained somewhat unclear for a period. The Philippine Army described him as being on “unattached or unassigned status” after his name came up during the impeachment trial as a questionable handler of the Vice President’s confidential funds. An Army spokesperson confirmed that Lachica remained posted at headquarters despite having been relieved from his command position.

His Response to the Allegations

Lachica has publicly addressed the accusations against him on more than one occasion. He said the matter had been brought before the appropriate authorities, where he believes evidence can be properly examined and the facts objectively established. He has expressed confidence that a formal legal process will clear his name, stating that he remains confident the truth will ultimately be revealed and that the accusations against him will be shown to be baseless. He has also urged the public and other involved parties to allow the legal process to run its course rather than treating the matter as something to be decided in public opinion.

When questions arose about whether he had turned over financial documents connected to the funds, testimony from a former OVP disbursing officer indicated otherwise. A witness confirmed during an impeachment hearing that Lachica had taken back acknowledgment receipts related to the ₱500 million in confidential funds after the disbursing officer had already submitted her liquidation reports to the Commission on Audit. The witness stated that those signed receipts were returned to Lachica and are no longer in her possession.

Role in the Sara Duterte Impeachment Trial

Lachica’s name has become one of the most frequently mentioned in the Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, particularly during discussions of the alleged misuse of confidential funds. During hearings held on August 24 and 25, 2026, his name was repeatedly raised because he was identified as the person who implemented the OVP’s confidential fund-related activities.

Despite being central to the discussion, the prosecution has so far relied on other witnesses to present its case rather than calling Lachica directly. Instead of putting Lachica on the stand, the House prosecution team called former special disbursing officer Gina Acosta and OVP assistant chief of staff Lemuel Ortonio to testify.

There has also been public discussion about whether the defense might eventually call Lachica as a witness. Vice President Duterte’s defense team has stated that they have no definite plans yet regarding whether to present him, saying that decision will depend on what they consider integral to their defense once the prosecution finishes presenting its case for each article of impeachment. Based on the court’s pre-trial order, Lachica is officially listed as a prosecution witness, though the defense did not explicitly name him in its own pre-trial brief.

His Willingness to Testify

Lachica himself has stated publicly that he does not intend to avoid testifying if called upon. In a statement released through the Office of the Vice President, he said he has never refused to appear or testify and that, if lawfully called, he is prepared to tell the truth, subject to applicable laws and security restrictions. This statement came amid speculation about whether he would be reluctant to appear given his central role in the allegations.

Why His Case Matters

The scrutiny surrounding Lachica goes beyond his individual conduct. Analysts and prosecutors examining the case have pointed to a deeper question about institutional accountability. If the officer legally authorized to disburse OVP funds was someone else entirely, the case raises the fundamental question of under what authority responsibility for handling ₱500 million was transferred to Lachica in the first place. The matter extends beyond simply identifying who physically received the money, touching instead on who was legally responsible for the funds at every stage, who held the authority to handle them, and whether proper documentation existed to confirm the money was used for its intended purpose.

This is why Lachica, despite holding what might otherwise be considered a support role within the Vice President’s office, has become such a significant figure in the broader impeachment proceedings.

Conclusion

Col. Raymund Dante Lachica’s public profile is defined almost entirely by his military career as head of the Vice President’s security detail and, more recently, by the controversy surrounding his handling of the OVP’s confidential and intelligence funds. His reassignment in October 2025, the pending Ombudsman case against him, and his repeated mention throughout the Sara Duterte impeachment trial have placed him at the center of one of the Philippines’ most closely watched political and legal proceedings. As the trial continues, further testimony and documentation are likely to clarify the full extent of his role in the disputed fund transactions.

FAQs

What position did Col. Raymund Lachica hold before the controversy?

He served as the group commander of the AFP Security and Protection Group, the unit responsible for protecting the Vice President, a role previously known as the VPSPG.

Why was Lachica reassigned from his post?

He was reassigned back to the Philippine Army in October 2025 due to an existing case filed against him before the Office of the Ombudsman, related to the alleged misuse of confidential funds.

What is Lachica’s connection to the Sara Duterte impeachment trial?

He has been repeatedly named during the trial as the individual who allegedly implemented the OVP’s confidential fund-related activities, including the handling of ₱500 million in confidential and intelligence funds.

Has Lachica testified in the impeachment trial?

As of the most recent hearings, the prosecution had not yet called him to testify, choosing instead to present other witnesses. He has stated he is prepared to appear if lawfully called.

What has Lachica said about the allegations against him?

He has maintained that the accusations are baseless and has expressed confidence that the legal process will ultimately establish the truth of the matter.