Ramil Madriaga, a former aide to Vice President Sara Duterte, testified under oath during the House Committee on Justice's impeachment hearing on April 14, 2026, reading his affidavit and submitting a supplemental statement as part of complaints filed against Duterte, according to the Philippine Daily Inquirer. Madriaga's testimony is a pivotal moment in the ongoing inquiry, focusing on the allegations and their implications for Duterte's political future.
Madriaga has been identified as a key witness and alleged "bagman" for Duterte, raising allegations that the impeachment panel is now tasked to evaluate in detail, Rappler reports. His supplemental affidavit adds new claims to the case, extending the scope of former evidence presented at the hearing in Manila.
However, his credibility has been challenged by Colonel Raymund Dante Lachica, former head of Duterte's security, who questioned inconsistencies in Madriaga’s statements according to the Philippine Daily Inquirer. This internal dispute adds complexity to the evaluation of the witness's testimony.
Meanwhile, Manila Representative Joel Chua dismissed some claims against Madriaga and his affidavit as hearsay unless formally presented by Duterte's defense, potentially limiting the impact of certain accusations during the proceedings, as stated in the Philippine Daily Inquirer. Chua's comments reflect ongoing debates about the admissibility and relevance of the evidence.
The House panel and political observers are closely monitoring developments, with attention now on how Duterte's defense team responds to Madriaga’s allegations and the panel's next actions. The outcome could influence Duterte's political trajectory and set precedents for the impeachment process in the Philippines.
Ramil Madriaga
Rodrigo Duterte
Philippines
House of Representatives
Manila
