A PROSECUTION witness is expected to explain the discrepancy between official records indicating that P125 million in confidential funds were used over 11 days and his claim that the entire amount was allegedly spent in less than 24 hours.
House prosecutor Joel Chua of Manila identified former Duterte associate Ramil Madriaga as the person who could account for the difference when he testifies and undergoes cross-examination before the Senate impeachment court.
“Pero apparently doon sa committee hearing ng Committee on Justice, sinasabi ni Ramil Madriaga na less than 24 hours lang di ba? So at least pag pinresent si Ramil, mas mapapaliwanag niya kung bakit,” Chua told Korina Sanchez’s Memo on the Bilyonaryo News Channel on Monday.
The OVP received P125 million in confidential funds on Dec. 21, 2022 and submitted liquidation records covering the period through Dec. 31, which produced the widely cited 11-day spending period.
“Well, yung sinasabi namin na 11 days, kasi based on record ‘yun,” he clarified.
Article I forms part of the House-approved case alleging misuse and irregular liquidation of a combined P612.5 million in confidential funds from the OVP and Department of Education.
“Kasi ‘yun naman ang hiningi nila. Binigay sa kanila noong Dec. 21 tapos na-liquidate nila hanggang Dec. 31,” Chua explained.
Madriaga previously testified during the House inquiry that the amount had allegedly been distributed within a day, a claim the defense will be able to challenge once he appears in the Senate trial.
“So in a span of 11 days, ‘yun ang assumption natin dahil kasi based doon sa record,” Chua noted.
Chua said the prosecution expects an extensive cross-examination and is evaluating the witness’s account before deciding how his testimony will be presented.
“Once pinresenta siya, talagang i-co-cross siya,” he acknowledged.
“Kaya nga may mga opportunity tayo na ibi-vet mo talaga ang mga testigo. Titignan mo kung kailangan pa ba ‘yung statement na ito,” Chua explained.
metrosundaily
