Panelo: Madriaga could be VP Duterte’s ‘star witness’ in impeach trial

MANILA, Philippines — After the filing of a second perjury complaint against her alleged former aide, Vice President Sara Duterte’s legal counsel on Wednesday said Ramil Madriaga could potentially become the defense’s “star witness” in her impeachment trial.

Atty. Paolo Panelo, Duterte’s lawyer in the perjury complaints filed against Madriaga, made the pronouncement as he stated that the defense could use Madriaga’s own testimony to challenge the prosecution’s case against Duterte.

“If the prosecution presents Ramil Madriaga, it’s their funeral. Because the defense team will tear him apart during cross-examination,” said Panelo in a press conference.

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READ: Sara Duterte files another perjury case vs Madriaga

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“All the lies will come out, and that’s how confident we are that we’re already telegraphing what we have by filing this complaint affidavit,” he added.

Panelo even cited alleged “rumblings” that even the prosecution itself is now hesitating to present Madriaga as a witness, but noted that he remains among the witnesses the defense team plans to present.

“I’ve been saying for a long time that Ramil Madriaga will be the star witness for the defense if he testifies for the prosecution,” he said.

However, Panelo clarified that this is just his opinion as one of Duterte’s legal counsel, stating that although they coordinate with the defense team in the impeachment trial, he cannot actually direct them what to do.

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“We’re not in a position, of course, to recommend to the defense team that they go ahead and use him even if he is not called to testify,” he said.

Despite this, Panelo said a copy of the second perjury complaint against Madriaga, including all the evidence it contains, is currently being transmitted to the defense team.

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READ: Sara Duterte’s camp to consolidate perjury complaints vs Madriaga

It was on Monday when Duterte filed a second perjury case against Madriaga, this time challenging the claims he made in a supplemental affidavit he did in April. /das