Court allows Madriaga to appear in House impeachment hearing

The Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 21 in Manila has granted a request from House leaders allowing Vice President Sara Duterte’s former aide, Ramil Madriaga, to appear before the House of Representatives’ Committee on Justice in connection with the impeachment proceedings against her.

“Accordingly, accused Ramil Madriga y Lagonoy is hereby allowed to appear before the Committee on Justice, located at the 2nd Floor of the People Center, House of Representatives, Batasang Pambansa Complex, Constitution Hills, Quezon City, on 14 April, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with proper jail escorts,” the order stated.

The court’s order allows Madriaga’s appearance solely for the purpose of attending the House justice panel’s proceedings related to the impeachment complaints against the vice president.

Madriaga, who is currently facing charges for kidnapping, alleged that the vice president ordered him to carry out cash deliveries supposedly linked to misused confidential funds.

He also claimed that drug dealers and Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators funded Duterte’s 2022 campaign.

The committee earlier sought permission from the Manila court for Madriaga to attend the hearing, as he is considered a “key witness.”

“The House Committee on Justice will resume its hearing for the determination of probable cause on the above-captioned impeachment proceeding on April 14, 2026, with Ramil Lagunoy Madriaga being one of the key personalities to be invited as a resource person or witness,” the letter read.