Sara lawyer doubts Madriaga will be presented as witness

MANILA, Philippines — A lawyer for Vice President Sara Duterte said the prosecution will not present alleged bagman Ramil Madriaga as witness in the ongoing impeachment trial.

In an interview with Bilyonaryo News Channel, Paolo Panelo – counsel of Duterte in the perjury complaint filed against Madriaga before the Taguig Prosecutor’s Office – cited his credibility.

“To me, the prosecution will not present (Madriaga as witness). On the part of the defense, I would not know,” Panelo said.

Duterte filed two perjury cases against Madriaga.

The second perjury complaint was based on Madriaga’s supplemental affidavit, where he claimed to have served as the Vice President’s “bagman.”

Duterte’s first perjury complaint against Madriaga stemmed from the latter’s claim that drug lords and Chinese-sponsored Philippine offshore gaming operators bankrolled her campaign for vice president.

“This is a confession that even the prosecution doesn’t believe in Madriaga anymore,” Panelo added.

He said once the prosecution presents Madriaga during the impeachment trial, the defense would prove that he is lying during the cross-examination.

“So, either way, for me, using Ramil Madriaga here in the impeachment trial would benefit VP Sara and would not benefit those who are criticizing her,” Panelo said.

Panelo described Madriaga as a Trojan Horse.

“That’s why we’re holding interviews, media engagements so I can share the contents of our perjury complaint to show that this witness has no credibility,” he said.

‘Not part of’ defense team

“The truth of the matter is Mr. Madriaga is listed as a witness in the prosecution according to their pre-trial brief. He’s also listed as our witness in our pre-trial brief. But see, Atty. Panelo is not part of the defense team,” defense spokesman Michael Poa said.

Poa issued the reaction after Panelo said Madriaga could be a Trojan Horse for the defense even if he lied when he read his sworn supplemental affidavit during the hearing of the House committee on justice on April 14, claiming that Duterte’s P125-million confidential funds were spent in less than 24 hours and not 11 days as previously reported.