House justice panel directs heightened security for impeachment witness Ramil Madriaga

The House Committee on Justice has ordered the House sergeant-at-arms to take heightened security measures for detainee Ramil Madriaga, a witness in the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte.

In a letter dated March 31, 2026, committee chairperson Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro tasked House Sergeant-at-Arms Ret. Brig. Gen. Ferdinand Melchor Dela Cruz to ensure the safety of Madriaga, who is detained at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) facility in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.

She said Madriaga is a “material and indispensable” witness in the impeachment proceedings against the Vice President.

Madriaga, who is detained over a pending kidnapping case, is the one alleged to have said that drug dealers and Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators are funding the campaign Inday Sara Duterte is My President (ISIP) Pilipinas. 

“We require the implementation of appropriate safeguards to ensure his safety, security, and integrity while he is testifying before the Committee on Justice. Strict compliance herewith is required,” the House justice panel said.

Specifically, these additional security measures include:

• the augmentation of Mr. Madriaga’s existing security detail by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and
• the provision of adequate security during his transport to and from the hearings of the House committee on justice.

“Copies of the order [for heightened security measures] will be furnished to jail authorities, a Manila trial court, and the witness’s legal counsel, signaling coordinated security arrangements as the House panel presses forward with its evidence-gathering,” the House justice panel added.

The directive stemmed from a Petition for Protective Custody filed by House Deputy Minority Leader and Akbayan Rep. Chel Diokno before the House justice panel, a petition that is provided under House Rules of Procedure in impeachment proceedings.

The House justice panel earlier found Diokno’s petition meritorious, citing credible threats to  Madriaga’s life.

The next impeachment hearing is scheduled on April 14.

The two impeachment complaints filed against the Vice President accuse her of betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, among others, mainly over the following acts: 

• alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds and using them as bribes 
• threatening to kill President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and his family, including her desire to remove the head of the Chief Executive, and 
• alleged accumulation of unexplained wealth

–NB, GMA Integrated News