The House Committee on Justice is set to scrutinize the credibility of Ramil Madriaga, who has expressed willingness to testify in the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte after claiming to have served as her former “bagman.”
Bicol Saro Party-list Representative Terry Ridon underscored that while questions have been raised about Madriaga’s reliability, the committee will allow the process to determine the weight of his testimony.
“Una sa lahat, ang nagsasabi lang na polluted source [si Madriaga] ay mga kaalyado’t abugado ni Pangalawang Pangulong Sara Duterte,” Ridon said in a radio interview, stressing that credibility must be tested during the hearings themselves.
“Malalaman natin yan pag isinalang na si Mr. Madriaga kasi dapat ma-test yung kredibiidad sa mismong proceedings ng komite dahil nag-submit siya ng sworn affidavit,” he added, noting that Madriaga’s sworn statement obliges the committee to evaluate his claims formally.
Ridon emphasized that the impeachment complaint against the Vice President would remain intact even without Madriaga’s testimony.
“Pero kailangan din natin maglinaw kahit ilaglag natin si Ramil Madriaga bilang isang witness, umiiral pa rin naman ang paglabag sa confidential funds, umiiral pa rin yung death threats against the President. Kitang kita ng taumbayan yun,” he said.
He further explained that documentary evidence could independently substantiate the allegations.
“Mabubuo pa rin natin yung kwento ng unexplained wealth mula doon sa tax documents, corporate documents, financial statements ng kanila kompanya at ng mag-asawang Duterte-Carpio,” Ridon stated, pointing to financial records as critical pieces of evidence.
The House Committee on Justice has already issued subpoenas to various government agencies to secure financial documents and the Vice President’s Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN).
These records are expected to play a central role in the proceedings, as lawmakers aim to establish whether there are irregularities linked to confidential funds and other allegations raised in the complaint.