Sandiganbayan permits two DOH officials to testify in Duque, Lao graft trial
The Sandiganbayan allowed two Department of Health procurement officers to give evidence in the graft case against former Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and former Budget Undersecretary Lloyd Christopher Lao over an alleged P41 billion illegal fund transfer.
On Monday the Sandiganbayan’s First Division ruled that two Department of Health procurement officers, Dawnavi Lacsado and Abegail Conchada, may sit as witnesses in the graft case against former Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and former Budget Undersecretary Lloyd Christopher Lao. The case concerns an alleged illegal transfer of P41 billion from the DOH to the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Defense counsel sought to bar the officials, claiming their testimony would merely repeat earlier evidence and infringe the accused’s right to a speedy trial; prosecutors countered that the motion lacked factual or legal merit. During cross-examination, both witnesses affirmed participation in the COVAC Secretariat but said they did not possess personal knowledge of high-level policy decisions, though Lacsado denied her role was limited to document compilation.
Conchada described the COVAC team as fully operational, noting a shift to smaller meeting attendance because of connectivity issues. The court also granted the prosecution additional time to submit a compliance report on the 54 listed witnesses and to provide judicial affidavits five days before the next hearing on Nov. 9. Duque and Lao remain out on bail, with further hearings slated for Nov. 23 and Jan. 28, 2027.
Why it matters
The testimony could determine accountability for a massive pandemic-era fund transfer and influence the outcome of a high-profile corruption case.
How the sides frame it
HIGH AGREEMENTBoth camps report that the Sandiganbayan allowed two DOH officials to testify in the Duque, Lao graft case, but left-leaning coverage emphasizes the court’s rejection of the bid to block testimony, while centrist coverage highlights the court’s permission and outlines the arguments of defense and prosecution.
LEFT
Left-leaning coverage frames the story as the court rejecting an attempt to bar testimony, underscoring the importance of the officials’ evidence.
CENTER
Centrist coverage frames the story as the court permitting the officials to testify, presenting both the defense’s objections and prosecutors’ rebuttal.
The left emphasises
- court refused to block testimony
- P41 billion pandemic-era funds at issue
- prosecutors say the witnesses’ evidence is essential
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