The House Committee on Justice is set to deliberate on whether to invite or subpoena former Ombudsman Samuel Martires and two military officers to the ongoing impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Bicol Saro Party-list Representative Terry Ridon said the committee is open to hearing from Martires, Col. Raymund Lachica, and Col. Dennis Nolasco, who were mentioned by self-confessed “bagman” Ramil Madriaga in connection with the alleged misuse of the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) confidential funds.
Ridon emphasized that the panel aims to provide those implicated a chance to defend themselves:
“Pwede namin pag usapan po ‘yun sa mga susunod na pagdinig kung i-invite or i-subpoena po ‘yung mga napangalanan… Siyempre may karapatan din naman sila na makasagot din formally… and sila, if they aggrieved, they can actually go to the committee and request that they appear before the committee to say their truth,” Ridon said.
Ridon also noted his review of the social media presence of ISIP Pilipinas, observing that various regional chapters—including the branch in Binangonan, Rizal—featured posts promoting the party-list represented by Reynold Munsayac during the 2022 elections. Munsayac previously served as spokesperson for the OVP.