House panel subpoenas COA, BIR execs, lawyer who notarized Madriaga's affidavit

The House committee on justice has issued subpoena to the officials of the Commission on Audit and Bureau of Internal Revenue as well as the lawyer who notarized the affidavit of Ramil Madriaga to bring documents and testify during the hearing on the impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte.

The panel directed State Auditor V Atty Gloria Camora of the Commission on Audit Intelligence and Confidential Funds Audit Office to submit “all the submissions by the OVP to COA in relation to the liquidation of confidential funds.”

It said Camora has custody of all the documents on the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education's disposition of their confidential funds for the years 2022 and 2023.

It added Camora's testimony is needed to identify and authenticate  the requested documents.

Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Atty Charlito Martin Mendoza, on the other hand, was ordered to submit tax records and financial statements of the Vice President and her spouse Atty Manases Carpio, and several business entities.

Also subpoenaed was Atty Cynthia Viñas-Pantonal who notarized the affidavit of Ramil Madriaga, who claimed to be Duterte’s former aide.

The three were directed to attend the hearing on April 14 at 10 a.m.

Palawan 2nd district Rep Jose Alvarez, committee vice chairperson, said COA, BIR, and the Office of the Ombudsman have confirmed their attendance to the hearing.

"Hindi 'yung COA chairman kung hindi 'yung particular na may direct responsibility, may direct personal knowledge. 'Yung sila ang humahawak ng mga liquidation ni Vice President Sara, 'yun ang mga sinubpoena. So ayun, darating na sila. Nag-confirm na 'yon, darating," he said in an online interview.

When asked if Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla also confirmed his attendance, Alvarez replied, "Hindi nag-confirm dahil high-ranking official siya. Ipapadala niya 'yung SALN ni VP Sara sa kanyang trusted individual na i-authorize niya in writing."

"Hindi sila puwedeng hindi pumunta dahil they are part of government. So dapat pumunta sila," he added.

Alvarez also said Madriaga, who is facing kidnapping charges, is also expected to attend.

"Ang subpoena, 'yung tao, kasama na 'yon si Madriaga, 'yung sinasabi ni Congressman Rufus Rodriguez na polluted source kasi may kaso nga. But nevertheless, gusto rin marinig ng Justice Committee si Madriaga," he said.

"Kung you are required to testify, even if you are a person deprived of liberty, nakakulong ka, hindi ka naman pwedeng magsinungaling eh. But dahil nakakulong ka, madali kang ipatawag kung the subpoenaing body is authorized to require your presence. Ganoon 'yon. Hindi pwedeng (hindi pumunta) unless na magkasakit siya na hindi siya makalakad or bedridden siya or he has infectious diseases na kailangan may certification 'yung doktor," he added.

Cagayan de Oro 2nd district Rep Rufus Rodriguez earlier called Madriaga a "polluted source" but Alvarez said, "Depende naman 'yon sa cross-examination, di ba?"

"So whether or not ma-satisfy niya 'yung query ng Justice Committee, so siya dapat ang managot doon, hindi ibang tao. Kasi may allegation na siya nga 'yung nagdala ng bags na containing money," Alvarez added.—AOL, GMA News