House Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V, La Union 1st district representative, said detainee Ramil Madriaga could emerge as a key witness in the possible Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Ortega pointed to Madriaga’s decision to waive his bank secrecy rights and allow scrutiny of his financial records as a factor that could strengthen his credibility.
“Napaka-credible ng witness na walang itinatago. The fact na kaya at willing si Mr. Madriaga na mag-tell all at mag-open all, ibig sabihin ay kaya niyang patunayan ang lahat ng kanyang sinasabi. Kusa na siyang nagpapasilip ng kanyang mga bank accounts, and this is a really good test of his credibility,” Ortega said.
He added that if the impeachment case progresses to the Senate, Madriaga’s disclosures could elevate him into a central figure in the proceedings.
“At kapag ang impeachment laban kay VP Duterte ay umabot sa Senado dahil sa mga isiniwalat ni Mr. Madriaga, siguradong star witness na siya. Madami siyang sinabi sa kanyang affidavit at supplemental affidavit na kapag napatunayang tama o credible ng kanyang bank records, instant star witness na talaga,” he said.
Madriaga first appeared before the House Committee on Justice on April 14, where he signed a waiver allowing access to his bank records.
He alleged that he acted as a “dummy” account holder during the Duterte administration, claiming that accounts under his name were used for transactions not under his control.
“Kung ang sinasabi niya ay ginamit ang pangalan niya bilang dummy, natural lang na ang susunod na tanong ay: nasaan ang patunay nito? Doon nagiging mahalaga ang waiver, dahil puwede nang sundan hindi lang ang tao kundi pati ang daloy ng pera,” Ortega said.
Madriaga said he did not personally open the accounts and claimed they were used for transactions linked to supposed intelligence operations. He also alleged that he was made to sign blank checks and that millions of pesos passed through the accounts.
He further claimed he was directly employed by former president Rodrigo Duterte, receiving a monthly salary ranging from P100,000 to P150,000 in cash.
Madriaga also alleged that he was instructed on multiple occasions to withdraw large sums of money from a bank in Lubao, Pampanga for delivery to Malacañang, with additional transactions involving manager’s checks delivered to a safehouse in Quezon City.
The allegations have yet to be tested in court.