The affidavit of Ramil Madriaga, who claims to be a former military agent and alleged bagman of Vice President Sara Duterte, is the “new evidence” in the fresh impeachment proceeding against her, a key member of the House committee on justice said on Saturday.
Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon, who chairs the House Committee on Public Accounts, also said the panel would be fair in handling the four impeachment complaints against Duterte.
“We will look at all these allegations, particularly the allegations of Ramil Madriaga with a very critical eye. Kasi very important po na ma-vet thoroughly lahat po ng babanggitin niya, lahat ng nakasaad sa kanyang affidavit,” Ridon said.
“So if the question is what is new in this impeachment proceeding, it would be the Madriaga affidavit,” he stressed. Madriaga has alleged in his affidavit that funding for VP Duterte’s national election campaign came from drug lords and illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO).
“Basically, ‘yung major grounds ay magpapatuloy po sa kasalukuyang impeachment proceedings. Kasama po diyan ‘yung betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption,” Ridon told a news forum.
He said also to be covered in the committee deliberations are the Vice President’s alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential and intelligence funds, her famous videotaped death threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos,
and former Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, her statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN).
Ridon said the House is committed to observe fairness and transparency in processing the impeachment complaints against the Vice President.
He called on the public to monitor the House impeachment proceedings beginning at 10 am on Monday.
