Ramil Madriaga, former aide of Vice President Sara Duterte
A MANILA court has granted the request of the House Committee on Justice to allow detained witness Ramil L. Madriaga to appear in the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Z. Duterte on April 14.
In an order dated April 7, 2026 sent to the House Committee on Justice, Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry L. Ridon said Presiding Judge Alma Crispina B. Collado-Lacorte of the Regional Trial Court Branch 21 in Manila approved the panel’s request following a March 31 letter from House leaders.
“Acting on the letter dated March 31, 2026 by Hon. Atty. Gerville ‘Jinky’ Bitrics/R. Luistro, Chairperson, Committee on Justice and Hon. Faustino ‘Bojie’ G. The court order read, “The request from Dy III, Speaker of the House of Representatives, to allow PDL Ramil Lagonoy (sic) Madriaga to appear before the Committee on Justice is GRANTED.”
Madriaga, identified in House proceedings as a key witness, is facing charges for kidnapping pending before the same court.
“Accordingly, accused Ramil Madriaga y Lagonoy is hereby allowed to appear before the Committee on Justice located at the 2nd Floor of the People Center, House of Representatives, Batasang Pambansa Complex, Constitution Hills, Quezon City on April 14, 2026 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with proper jail escorts,” the order stated.
The court also directed jail authorities to report compliance.
“The Jail Warden of MMDJ Annex 2 is directed to make a report within five (5) days from compliance therewith,” it added.
Earlier, the House panel formally sought the court’s permission to secure Madriaga’s attendance as it resumes hearings on the determination of probable cause in the impeachment complaints against Duterte.
“The House Committee on Justice will resume its hearing for the determination of probable cause on the above-captioned impeachment proceeding on April 14, 2026, with Ramil Lagunoy Madriaga being one of the key personalities to be invited as resource person or witness,” the panel said in its March 31 letter.
Committee on Justice chairperson Luistro issued the request, which Speaker Dy signed, with House Secretary General Cheloy Garafil attesting.
“In this regard, the House Committee on Justice respectfully requests the Honorable Court to allow PDL RAMIL LAGUNOY MADRIAGA… to appear before the Committee on Justice on April 14, 2026, 10:00 A.M., at the 2nd Floor of the People Center, House of Representatives, Batasang Pambansa Complex, Constitution Hills, Quezon City,” the letter read.
The panel noted that the request forms part of its ongoing proceedings to assess the verified impeachment complaints against the Vice President.
“Attached are the agenda and subpoena addressed to PDL Ramil L. Madriaga for your reference,” it said. “We look forward to your favorable response on this matter.”
