Heightened security needed for Madriaga as Sara impeachment advances

Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong on Wednesday stressed that stricter security measures are now necessary for Ramil Madriaga, a key witness in the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte, as the House of Representatives prepares for its next hearing.

“We already adopted the (motion) to subpoena all the documents … The members will be expecting this to be available during the next hearing,” Adiong said.

Articles III and IV of the third and fourth impeachment complaints, respectively, allege that Duterte offered bribes to officials of the Department of Education (DepEd) during her tenure in office.

“Second, I think the report of the NBI regarding their handling of Madriaga will also be made available," he added.

He added that the panel also approved additional protection for Madriaga.

“Because there is also a request, I think it was already approved, to beef up the security of Madriaga because his participation would be consequential in the determination of the impeachment hearing,” he said.

Madriaga, who considered a central witness in allegations against the Vice President, is expected to show up at the next committee hearing, Adiong said.

Duterte’s camp has rejected the allegations, calling them politically charged.

The Vice President earlier questioned efforts to place Madriaga under House protection, saying such actions risk further politicizing the process.

The House justice committee will continue on 14 April whether there is probable cause to elevate the impeachment case to the Senate, where a full trial would take place.