The House Committee on Justice will no longer summon Ramil Madriaga, who identified himself as Vice President Sara Duterte’s alleged bagman, leaving questions of his credibility to be resolved during the Senate impeachment trial.
Manila 3rd District Representative Joel Chua, chairperson of the House Committee on Good Government, explained that Madriaga’s next public appearance will be before the Senate once the impeachment case is elevated for trial.
“Opo kasi nakita naman nyio na very limited lamang ‘yung aming mga line of questioning. Kaya naniniwala kami we have already extensively act yung mga clarificatory question in so far as Madriaga is concern,” Chua said.
He clarified that Madriaga was called to testify in the House due to a motion by Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Representative Leila de Lima, who endorsed an impeachment complaint that included Madriaga’s affidavit regarding confidential funds.
The committee required Madriaga to personally swear to his affidavit, anticipating the possibility that he might retract his claims during Senate proceedings.
Chua noted that if any member of the committee moves to recall Madriaga, it would be subject to a vote, but questioning would remain limited to clarifications.
“In so far as credibility of the witness is concerned ‘yan po ay sa full blown trial na (sa Senado) kung saan siya ay iko-cross examine na ng mga abogado po ng depensa,” Chua explained.
Madriaga previously detailed in his affidavit how Vice President Duterte allegedly disposed of ₱125 million in confidential funds within 24 hours in December 2022, including the identities of those who received portions of the funds.