Metro Manila, Philippines – The impeachment hearing next week will focus on the alleged misuse of confidential funds by Vice President Sara Duterte, a panel member said.
In an interview on The Newsmaker, Rep. Terry Ridon said the hearing will proceed as scheduled without a stay order issued by the Supreme Court at the instance of Duterte and her allies.
“Meron pong focus on confidential funds misuse… ito pong 14th,” Ridon said.
[Translation: There will be a focus on confidential funds misuse… this April 14.]
He said the committee will receive documents from the Bureau of Internal Revenue, Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Office of the Ombudsman.
Ridon said the testimony of Ramil Madriaga, who earlier executed an affidavit about the funds, will be central to the hearing, along with officials from the Commission on Audit.
“We would want him to give the truth to his affidavit and, of course, we would also want to test his credibility,” he said.
The committee is also expected to hear from the Philippine Statistics Authority to verify the identities of individuals allegedly listed as recipients of confidential funds, as well as defense team spokesperson Michael Poa, who has been subpoenaed to testify on his knowledge of fund utilization during his time with the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education.
Ridon said Poa was invited as a resource person and not as legal counsel for Duterte.
The impeachment proceedings happen alongside discussions in Congress about the country’s response to the impact of the Middle East crisis.
“Kaya pong gawin na magkasabay itong mga bagay na ito… accountability… at economic relief,” he said.
[Translation: We can do these things at the same time… accountability and economic relief.]
