Justice panel to hear Madriaga in VP Sara impeachment

THE House Committee on Justice handling the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Z. Duterte will proceed to receive the testimony of Ramil Madriaga once he is presented by the complainant, even as a perjury complaint has been filed separately against him.

Justice panel chairperson Atty. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro of Batangas made the statement in an interview with broadcast journalist Pinky Webb on Bilyonaryo News Channel’s On Point, where she was asked whether the perjury case filed by Duterte could affect the committee’s proceedings.

“We will simply proceed with the proceedings of the Justice Committee,” Luistro said.

“Ibang forum ‘yon, where the case of perjury was filed by the vice president against Ramil Madriaga. This one is separate and distinct from the case that was filed by the vice president,” she added.

Madriaga’s affidavit has been cited in the impeachment complaints against Duterte, which the committee earlier declared sufficient in form and substance, and Luistro indicated the panel will act on the complaint before it regardless of developments in the separate case.

“Regardless of the filing of the perjury case, the Justice Committee will simply proceed with its proceedings and will receive the testimony of Ramil Madriaga the moment he is presented by the complainant,” Luistro added.