Madriaga not a 'polluted source,' Luistro says

House committee on justice chair Gerville Luistro on Friday rebuffed claims that Ramil Madriaga is a "polluted source" for the impeachment hearing of Vice President Sara Duterte. 

“How can we consider Ramil Madriaga already as a polluted source? His perjury case is pending. The kidnapping case against him is pending, and remember there's a constitutional guarantee of presumption of innocence which Ramil Madriaga is supposed to enjoy,” Luistro said in a Super Radyo DZBB interview.

“Because Madriaga is not a convicted prisoner. He is a detention prisoner,” Luistro added.

Luistro was responding to the pronouncements of House justice panel vice chairperson and Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez who said that Mardiaga should not be brought before the House committee on justice impeachment.

The House justice committee earlier issued a subpoena to Madriaga, his affidavit, and his counsel to be presented before the House panel for the determination of probable cause to impeach the Vice President.

Madriaga has identified himself as a former aide of Duterte, but the Vice President repeatedly refuted having a personal relationship with him. 

He is currently detained at Camp Bagong Diwa on a kidnapping charge.

Credibility test

Luistro then said that Rodriguez and the rest of the House justice panel members can freely question Madriaga once he is presented to the said House panel’s impeachment proceedings.

“They are at full liberty, including Congressman Rodriguez whom I respect so much, to test the credibility of Madriaga once he is presented before the Justice Committee," Luistro said.

The House justice panel on Wednesday also approved a motion to provide protective custody for Madriaga whenever he testifies before the House justice committee.

“We directed the Office of the Sergeant at Arms of the House of Representatives and the Legislative Security to make the proper coordination with the BJMP (Bureau of Jail Managament and Penology) and the SILG (Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government) as well as with the court where the case is pending to make sure that he will be transported safely during hearings and he will be in the best and safest detention facility when the Justice Committee is hearing these impeachment complaints,” Luistro said. —Llanesca T. Panti/ VAL, GMA Integrated News