Jamaine Punzalan

Akbayan Partylist Rep. Chel Diokno during the first regular session of the 20th Congress at the House of Representatives in Quezon City on July 28, 2025.   Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File

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20th CONGRESS- OPENING SESSION

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177328024317420250728-20th-congress-chiel-diokno-JC0450.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Akbayan Partylist Rep. Chel Diokno during the first regular session of the 20th Congress at the House of Representatives in Quezon City on July 28, 2025.   Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File</span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Akbayan party-list Rep. Chel Diokno has asked the House Committee on Justice to assume custody of Ramil Madriaga, a detained individual who had claimed to be a bagman of Vice President Sara Duterte. </p><p>In a March 5 letter to the panel, Diokno said Madriaga “appears to be a material witness in the impeachment proceedings” against Duterte and should be transferred to the committee from Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig City “ensure his safety and availability to testify.”  </p><p>Madriaga <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/16/affidavit-from-sara-duterte-s-alleged-bagman-referred-to-ombudsman-1639">alleged</a> he executed big-time cash deliveries on Duterte’s behalf, adding a national campaign for Duterte was funded by Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) and drug lords.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/23/sara-duterte-visited-teves-not-alleged-bagman-madriaga-remulla-1416">Sara Duterte visited Teves, not alleged bagman Madriaga – Remulla</a></div><p>But Duterte said Madriaga, who is “currently facing serious criminal charges and has a prior criminal record, appears to be acting out of desperation to secure his release from detention.”</p><p>“He is now disseminating false statements to government authorities as part of a concerted effort to obstruct and undermine my possible candidacy for President,” she said.</p><p>Duterte last week <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/4/sara-duterte-madriaga-perjury-complaint-0951">filed a perjury complaint against Madriaga.</a></p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/5/madriaga-threatened-inside-jail-lawyer-says-1720">Madriaga threatened inside jail, lawyer says</a></div><p>Madriaga’s legal team, meanwhile, said he was ready to testify against Duterte in the impeachment proceedings against her.</p><p>Two impeachment complaints, ruled<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/4/house-panel-sara-duterte-impeachment-complaint-sufficient-in-substance-1403"> &quot;sufficient in substance&quot;</a> by a vote of 54-1 this month, accused her of graft and corruption while in office and of making a death threat against former ally President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. </p><p>Duterte’s legal team previously said they would not comment on specific allegations “and will instead address these matters through the proper constitutional processes.” </p><p>Meanwhile, Diokno has also urged the House justice committee to immediately compel the production of key records, including Duterte’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth for 2022 to 2025, 2007 to 2013, and 2016 to 2022. </p><p>He also asked the Anti-Money Laundering Council to submit a certification under oath on whether it had any records involving suspicious transactions linked to Duterte, and sought records from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on its investigation into her alleged threats against Marcos’ family. </p><p>The motions were seconded by Reps. Leila De Lima of Mamamayang Liberal party-list, Percy Cendaña of Akbayan party-list, and Kaka Bag-ao of Dinagat Island. </p><p>The committee is expected to take up the requests next week as it proceeds with preparations for the evidentiary phase of the impeachment proceedings. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/5/sara-duterte-given-10-days-to-answer-impeachment-complaints-1154">Sara Duterte given 10 days to answer impeachment complaints</a></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/4/sara-duterte-says-impeachment-proceedings-not-a-priority-of-her-office-1031">Duterte not monitoring impeachment hearings: ‘Hindi ‘yan ang prayoridad ng OVP’</a></div><div><iframe width="726" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/u1iAaVAbCRg" title="Luistro explains difference between Marcos, Sara Duterte impeachment raps | ANC" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><iframe width="726" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1KG4FPVNeFE" title="Eyewitness testimonies could strengthen impeachment case vs Sara Duterte, says law expert | ANC" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><iframe width="726" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SnFn1IiHaq4" title="Full announcement: Supreme Court affirms Sara Duterte impeachment unconstitutional | ABS-CBN News" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>Akbayan party-list Rep. Chel Diokno has asked the House Committee on Justice to assume custody of Ramil Madriaga, a detained individual who had claimed to be a bagman of Vice President Sara Duterte.</p>

Akbayan party-list Rep. Chel Diokno has asked the House Committee on Justice to assume custody of Ramil Madriaga, a detained individual who had claimed to be a bagman of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Diokno asks House panel to take custody of Madriaga for Sara Duterte impeachment proceedings

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Diokno asks House panel to take custody of Madriaga for Sara Duterte impeachment proceedings

ABS-CBN News

Published Mar 12, 2026 09:56 AM PHT

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Madriaga

Chel Diokno

Sara Duterte

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