๐ท: Ramil Madriaga
The House Committee on Justice has subpoenaed Atty. Cynthia Viรฑas-Pantonal, the lawyer who notarized the affidavit of Ramil Madriaga, in the impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte. She was ordered to appear at the April 14 hearing and submit the original affidavit and related documents.
In a separate directive, the committee ordered the House sergeant-at-arms to implement heightened security measures for Madriaga, detained at the BJMP facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig. Committee chair Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro said Madriaga is a โmaterial and indispensableโ witness.
The order, dated March 31, tasked House Sergeant-at-Arms Ret. Brig. Gen. Ferdinand Melchor Dela Cruz to coordinate with the NBI for additional security detail and ensure safe transport of Madriaga to and from hearings. Copies of the directive were furnished to jail authorities, a Manila trial court, and the witnessโs counsel.
The move stemmed from a petition for protective custody filed by Deputy Minority Leader and Akbayan Rep. Chel Diokno, which the panel earlier found meritorious, citing credible threats to Madriagaโs life.
Madriaga, facing a pending kidnapping case, is alleged to have said that drug dealers and Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators funded the campaign โInday Sara Duterte is My President (ISIP) Pilipinas.โ
The next impeachment hearing is set for April 14. # (ZIA LUNA)
