Manila, Aug. 26 -- Office of the Vice President (OVP) Assistant Chief of Staff Lemuel Ortonio on Wednesday confirmed to senator-judges in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte that its former head of security, Col. Raymund Dante Lachica, was not an employee of the office.

Senator-Judge Vicente "Tito" Sotto III asked Ortonio, a hostile witness of the prosecution panel, to clarify Lachica's formal relationship with the office.

Sotto said that since administrative and financial matters passed through Ortonio, "I'm sure you would know: What is the employment status of Col. Lachica in the Office of the Vice President?"

Replying, Ortonio said: "Col. Lachica is the group commander of the VPSPG (Vice Presidential Security and P...