‘Verify Madriaga’s claims vs VP Sara’

MANILA, Philippines — Can the sworn affidavit of Vice President Sara Duterte’s alleged bagman be used as a ground to impeach her a second time?

According to a lawmaker, it would be best if the accusations made by detainee Ramil Lagunoy Madriaga were thoroughly vetted before these are used in the re-filing of impeachment charges against Duterte next month.

“If they (possible complainants in the impeachment suits) want it as one of the grounds, then Congress will ultimately have to require corroborative evidence,” House public accounts panel chair and Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said yesterday.

The one-year bar on filing impeachment cases against Duterte will be lifted on Feb. 6.

Ridon stressed that while the Madriaga issue is not yet formally part of any impeachment complaint, Congress cannot simply ignore his sworn allegations, especially if they are invoked in proceedings that could have constitutional consequences.

A formal House inquiry, according to the lawmaker, is thus necessary for verification of the contents of the Madriaga affidavit.

The alleged bagman has executed an affidavit after learning that Duterte allegedly wanted him killed in jail.

According to Ridon, impeachment proceedings are currently in a holding pattern as Congress awaits the Supreme Court’s ruling on the motion for reconsideration it earlier filed.

Meanwhile, in anticipation of the filing of new impeachment charges against his sister, Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte warned House colleagues against a decision that has “long been cooked behind closed doors.” — Diana Lhyd Suelto