Metro Manila, Philippines – Vice President Sara Duterte’s lawyer Paolo Panelo described self-confessed Duterte aide Ramil Madriaga as a “Trojan horse” and even a potential “star witness” for the vice president, saying his testimony could backfire against the impeachment proponents.
Speaking ahead of the April 14 House impeachment hearing, Panelo said the Duterte camp is confident Madriaga’s testimony will collapse under scrutiny.
“In fact, the analogy that I like to use is, he’s like a Trojan horse entering the city of Troy… if they want to bring the Trojan horse… we won’t stand in their way,” Panelo said.
He added that if Madriaga becomes central to the case, it could weaken the allegations.
“Wala talagang patutunguan ‘to kapag si Madriaga naging sentro ng kaso nilang laban kay VP Sara,” he said.
[Translation: This will lead nowhere if Madriaga becomes the center of the case against Vice President Sara.]
Panelo also said the camp views Madriaga as effectively helping their side.
“In a way, you could say that he’s our star witness… we want him to testify… we want him to trip on himself, on his lies for the world to see,” he added.
[Translation: In a way, you could say he is our star witness… we want him to testify and expose his own lies.]
Duterte filed a perjury complaint against Madriaga with the Taguig City Prosecutor’s Office, with preliminary investigation ongoing. Panelo said the case aims to challenge Madriaga’s credibility.
House Justice panel member Terry Ridon, however, dismissed Panelo’s remarks and said the proper venue to test the witness’ claims is the impeachment hearing itself.
“Ang remedyo po rito hindi po yung presscon… ang pinakamahalaga… ay dapat po humarap ang pangalawang Pangulo sa April 14 House Impeachment Hearings,” Ridon said.
[Translation: The remedy here is not a press conference… what is most important is for the Vice President to appear at the April 14 House impeachment hearings.]
Ridon said Duterte has the opportunity to challenge Madriaga’s credibility directly during the proceedings.
“Doon po niya ilatag ang kanyang depensa… para wasakin po yung kredibilidad ni Ginoong Madriaga,” he added.
[Translation: She can present her defense there… to dismantle Madriaga’s credibility.]
He also questioned Panelo’s role in commenting on impeachment strategy, noting that the lawyer represents Duterte only in the perjury case.
“Si Atty. Panelo po ay abogado lang po ng vice president sa kanya pong perjury case… hindi po siya bahagi ng defense panel sa impeachment,” Ridon said.
[Translation: Atty. Panelo is only the vice president’s lawyer in the perjury case… he is not part of the impeachment defense panel.]
Ridon said if Duterte believes Madriaga is a weak witness, she should confront him during the hearings instead of raising arguments through her counsels’ media briefings.
“Kung sinasabi nila na weakest link… wala pong dahilan para matakot… ilatag ang ebidensya laban kay Madriaga sa araw po na iyon,” he said.
[Translation: If they say he is the weakest link… there is no reason to be afraid… present the evidence against Madriaga on that day.]
Madriaga is expected to testify on Tuesday as the House panel begins presenting key witnesses and documents, including those related to the alleged misuse of confidential funds.
