The House Committee on Justice will open its impeachment proceedings on Tuesday, April 14, with the testimony of Ramil Madriaga, who has identified himself as the alleged “bagman” of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Bicol Saro party-list Representative Terry Ridon confirmed Madriaga’s attendance, noting that the Supreme Court did not issue a temporary restraining order to stop the hearing.
“Isasalang agad si Ramil Madriaga,” Ridon said, adding that Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 21 Judge Alma Crispina Collado-Lacorte granted Madriaga permission to appear from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Lawmakers view Madriaga as a key witness in tracing the alleged flow of confidential funds linked to Duterte during her time at the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd), which she headed from 2022 to 2024.
“So maisasalang agad si Ramil Madriaga to truth to his affidavit and for us to able to test his credibility,” Ridon explained.
Duterte’s camp has questioned Madriaga’s credibility, citing his pending kidnapping case before Judge Collado-Lacorte.
Ridon, however, maintained:
“Basta magsabi lang siya ng totoo.”
Madriaga first came into public view in November 2025 when he filed an affidavit claiming he transported and delivered millions of pesos from Duterte’s security personnel.
Also set to testify on April 14 is Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, who was subpoenaed to present certified copies of Duterte’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs) from 2007 to 2024.
The Justice Committee continues to determine whether probable cause exists in the impeachment complaints against Duterte, which, if established, could be elevated to the Senate for trial.