The House of Representatives' Committee on Justice on Wednesday approved a motion to place Ramil Madriaga, a self-confessed aide and “bagman” of Vice President Sara Duterte, under protective custody, citing the need to ensure his security as he prepares to attend impeachment proceedings.
During the impeachment hearing against VP Duterte, the motion introduced by Akbayan Partylist Rep. Chel Diokno was approved with 35 votes in favor, one against, and no abstentions Under the approved measure, Madriaga will receive additional security from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), particularly during his transport to the House of Representatives and while attending committee hearings. “This is to make sure that there is additional security provided to Mr. Madriaga… in his present place of detention,” Diokno told the panel. Coordination will be undertaken by the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms and the Legislative Security Bureau, in coordination with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and the regional trial court that ordered his detention. Diokno said the request specifically seeks to ensure enhanced protection for Madriaga while in custody and throughout his participation in the proceedings. The move comes amid preparations for hearings related to the impeachment case against Duterte, where Madriaga is expected to testify. However, Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez cast the lone dissenting vote, arguing that existing security measures were already sufficient. He noted that the NBI had assigned personnel to guard Madriaga around the clock at Camp Bagong Diwa and that the detainee had been placed in a solitary cell for his safety. "It has already been stated that the honorable director of NBI has already assigned personnel to watch 24 hours [of] Mr. Madraga in Camp Bagong Diwa. In fact, the jail superintendent has already stated that Madraga has been transferred to a solitary cell so that there will be no other people there that will endanger his life. And so, Madam Chair, with the presumption, Madam Chair, of regularity of functions and that our witnesses will be fully protected, there's no need for this motion," Roadrigues said. Rodriguez also questioned the credibility of Madriaga, describing him as a “polluted source” and noted that the latter is facing "kidnapping with murder charges." "In 2021, one member of the anti-kidnapping gang was killed, the PNP member of the kidnapping, anti-kidnapping gang. And then they were arrested in 2022-2023. That's why he is in jail. And now we're going to give credence to a polluted affidavit...We are trying to protect somebody who is a polluted source," he added. However, his remarks were challenged during the hearing. Rep. De Lima raised a point of order, arguing that questioning a witness’s credibility at this stage was premature and inappropriate. “I submit that it is clearly premature for anyone to raise an issue of credibility on the part of the intended witness. He’s not yet testifying,” De Lima said. She added, “Therefore, issues of credibility can be raised in the questioning, in the clarificatory questioning. Mr. Madraga can be asked about those things during the hearing, the proper stage of the hearing, but not at this point. So it's out of order. Any such statement relating to the issue of credibility, statements like a polluted source, that is not yet proper at this stage of the proceedings.” Following her motion, the committee voted to strike from the official record all statements made by Rodriguez regarding Madriaga’s credibility, including the description of him as a “polluted source.” The motion to expunge the remarks was approved with 34 votes in favor, one against, and no abstentions. The committee secretariat was directed to implement both decisions and coordinate with relevant agencies to ensure Madriaga’s protection and the integrity of the proceedings.
