Testimonies from two retired Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) branch managers have significantly bolstered the claims of key witness Ramil Madriaga regarding the handling of Vice President Sara Duterte’s confidential funds, according to the House prosecution panel.
House prosecution panel spokesperson and Lanao del Sur 1st District Representative Zia Alonto Adiong highlighted that the former bank officials and Madriaga provided remarkably similar accounts regarding the transaction dates, the type of containers used, and the total number of cash bags involved—despite having no prior connection.
“Of course yes, kasi ‘yung pagpresenta hindi naman magkakilala ‘yung dalawang bank managers at saka si Madriaga. Pero may pagkakapare-pareho ‘yung sinasabi nila,” Adiong stressed.
“Yung description nung nilagyan ng pera, ‘yung ano yung bag, ilang bag ang nilagyan, at saka ‘yung date na pinag-releasesan nitong cheque na ito may pagkakapareho,” Adiong added.
Adiong emphasized that the uncoordinated consistency among the three individuals heavily supports the witness’s credibility.
“I don’t think this is a made-up story agreed by these three individuals. So it would definitely give credence and credibility to the testimony of Madriaga,” Adiong noted.
Madriaga had previously testified before the House Committee on Justice in April, alleging that ₱125 million was released on December 20, 2022, packed into four bags, and transported out of the Office of the Vice President (OVP).
He further testified that he was instructed to transport these cash-filled bags—which he later learned contained confidential funds—to various locations.
House prosecutor and Iloilo Representative Lorenz Defensor noted that the prosecution’s evidence must consistently reinforce itself rather than stand as isolated claims.
“We can say that evidence should corroborate itself ganun sa prosecution without delving into the merits. Pero dapat nagtutugma naman lahat as far as we are concerned,” Defensor said.
Lead House prosecutor and Batangas 2nd District Representative Gerville Luistro also affirmed that the retired managers’ statements aligned with earlier committee findings.
“Well, without dwelling on the trial kanina, if the question pertains only to the question of consistency, I think it was re-emphasized na ‘yung testimony kanina is somehow consistent with the testimony during the time of the Justice proceeding. That is without dwelling on the trial kanina,” Luistro said.
Madriaga is set to be presented as a witness under Article I of the impeachment complaint against Duterte, which alleges culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust concerning the misuse of confidential funds.