Ramil Madriaga to face House scrutiny for first time in today's VP Sara impeach hearing

The House justice committee will resume its impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte today at 10 a.m. with Ramil Madriaga, an alleged bagman for Duterte, expected to attend for the first time.

This developed after the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) granted the panel’s request to allow Madriaga to testify at the House’s impeachment proceedings on April 14 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The House justice panel is now in the process of determining if there is probable cause to impeach the Vice President after finding the two impeachment complaints against her sufficient in form, substance and grounds. 

READ: TIMELINE: Impeachment proceedings vs. Vice President Sara Duterte

In a previous affidavit, Madriaga alleged that he was a bagman for the vice president. He also alleged that drug dealers and Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) are funding the campaign dubbed Inday Sara Duterte is My President (ISIP) Pilipinas.  

Madriaga’s affidavit was cited in the two impeachment complaints against Duterte, which accused her of alleged betrayal of public trust and 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, 
• Allegedly threatening to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his family, and
• Alleged accumulation of unexplained wealth. 

House justice panel vice chairperson and Cagayan de Oro City 2nd District Representative Rufus Rodriguez earlier called Madriaga a polluted witness, citing the two counts of kidnapping charges against him.

However, House justice panel chair and Batangas 2nd District Representative Gerville Luistro said any declaration that Madriaga is a polluted witness is premature, pending the scrutiny of the committee.

Aside from Madriaga, others who were subpoenaed to attend Tuesday’s proceedings include:

• Atty. Cynthia Viñas-Pantonal, notary public of Madriaga’s affidavit;
• House Legislative Archives personnel;
• Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) chairperson Francis Edralin Lim;
• Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) chief Claire Dennis Mapa;
• Representatives from the Commission on Audit (COA), Office of the Ombudsman, Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), among others.

Meanwhile, House justice panel member and Bicol Saro Party-list Representative Terry Ridon said April 14 is Day 1 of the credibility test for the witnesses, which should also be a welcome development for Duterte as she is also invited to the proceedings.

“If there is an issue on their credibility, this is the time to test it: under oath, before the documentary evidence and within the Constitutional process,” Ridon said.

“The Vice President has a chance to face, answer and explain her points on the allegations leveled against her. This is the proper forum for that. The public is waiting for clear answers. As for us, we will follow the law and the evidence speak for itself,” he added. — JMA, GMA News