Batangas 2nd District Representative Gerville Luistro on Friday rejected claims that Ramil Madriaga is a “polluted source” in the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Luistro, who chairs the House Committee on Justice, argued that Madriaga is entitled to the constitutional presumption of innocence since his cases are still pending.
“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,” she said.
She further emphasized that Madriaga is not a convicted prisoner but a detention prisoner.
“Because Madriaga is not a convicted prisoner. He is a detention prisoner,” Luistro added.
Her remarks came in response to Cagayan de Oro 2nd District Representative Rufus Rodriguez, vice chair of the panel, who earlier argued that Madriaga should not be presented before the committee.
The House Justice Committee had issued a subpoena requiring Madriaga, his affidavit, and his counsel to appear as part of its determination of probable cause in the impeachment case.
Madriaga has identified himself as a former aide of Duterte, though the Vice President has repeatedly denied any personal relationship.
He is currently detained at Camp Bagong Diwa on a kidnapping charge.