By Jose Cielito Reganit | Philippine News Agency
Witness Gina Acosta’s apparent difficulty speaking or understanding Filipino and English during Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial appeared to be a strategy rather than a genuine language barrier, House prosecutor and Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua said Tuesday.
Chua based his assessment on Acosta’s November 2024 appearance before the House of Representatives’ Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, where she answered questions in both Filipino and English with ease.
“Malinaw na strategy lang ito para pamali-mali siya, para kunwari hindi niya naiintindihan ang mga tanong,” Chua said during an online press briefing.
Acosta, a former special disbursing officer at the Office of the Vice President where she remains employed, was declared a hostile prosecution witness before her direct examination on Monday.
She initially answered in Cebuano and requested translations of some questions.
The language issue emerged while prosecutors were asking about the physical and financial plan, and the withdrawal, transport in four bags and turnover to Col. Raymund Dante Lachica of P125 million.
Lachica was appointed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines to head Duterte’s security group, but was relieved after he was implicated in the confidential fund issue in late 2025.
Senator-judge Erwin Tulfo later cited the transcript of Acosta’s previous House testimony and questioned why she appeared to struggle with Filipino during the trial.
“Naalala ko noong hearing, ang galing naman ng kanyang mga sagot,” Chua said.
“Mapa-Tagalog, mapa-English ang tanong sa kanya, nauunawaan niya at ganoon din ang sagot niya,” he added.
Chua contrasted that record with her initial presentation before the Senate impeachment court.
“Biglang all of a sudden, hindi na marunong mag-Tagalog, hindi na marunong mag-English,” he said.
He noted that Acosta’s responsiveness changed after Tulfo called attention to the discrepancy, answering more readily in Filipino and English.
“Noong napagalitan, biglang gumaling mag-Tagalog at nakakasagot na nang maayos,” Chua said.
House trial spokesperson and Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, who also participated in the 2024 committee proceedings, supported Chua’s recollection.
“Ako mismo, na-witness ko na magaling siya mag-explain sa Tagalog. At the same time, magaling din mag-explain sa English,” Adiong said.
He said the transcript contained a verbatim exchange between Acosta and Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville Luistro, demonstrating Acosta’s ability to communicate directly in both languages.
Meanwhile, legal spokesperson Benjamin Tolosa Jr. said prosecutors acknowledged that Acosta has the right to testify in a language she understands, but said the senator-judges could consider her manner of answering when weighing her credibility.
“Kung ano yung intention, bakit ginawa ‘yun, siguro sa akin na lang, I’ll just again direct your attention doon sa naging observation ni Sen. Tulfo kahapon na nung sinabi nga po niya, tama na po itong panloloko sa atin,” Tolosa said.
“I’m sure this would also be considered by the other senator-judges in weighing the credibility of the witness,” he added.
Tolosa said he respected Tulfo’s observation but would leave the ultimate credibility assessment to the senator-judges. (PNA)
