Dennis Gasgonia

Article (news)

Vivienne Gulla

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — House Committee on Justice Chairperson Gerville Luistro of Batangas reminded complainants in the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte to be “very vigilant”, following alleged threats to the life of Ramil Madriaga, who claims to have been be the vice president&#x27;s bagman.</p><p>Madriaga’s lawyer said his client was recently confronted by another detainee inside the detention facility where he is being held, prompting an investigation and additional security measures.</p><p>Luistro advised the complainants to reach out to government agencies that have jurisdiction over Madriaga to ensure he will be isolated from possible “influences”. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/4/sara-duterte-madriaga-perjury-complaint-0951"><strong>Sara Duterte files perjury complaint vs Madriaga </strong></a> </div><p> “I wish to remind the complainants to be very, very vigilant with their witness. Kasi baka mamaya niyan ma-manipulate,” Luistro said.</p><p>House Assistant Majority Leader Zia Alonto Adiong of Lanao del Sur, meanwhile, appealed to agencies to ensure Madriaga&#x27;s safety.</p><p> “It is incumbent upon our security agencies to make sure that Madriaga will be safe, at mapakinggan… in the committee ‘yung kanyang testimonya,” he said.</p><p> “Assuming that what he&#x27;s saying now is true, halimbawa, na mayroong lumalapit sa kanya, it only proves that those who are actually approaching him are fearful of what may happen… of what the information that may be revealed once Madriaga will testify in the committee,” Adiong added.</p><div> </div><div><strong>BANK ACCOUNTS</strong> </div><p>Luistro, meanwhile, sees no hindrance or challenge for the House justice panel in looking into Duterte’s bank records, if the complainants will make such a motion, stressing that an impeachment proceeding is one of the exceptions to the bank secrecy law.</p><p>The fourth impeachment complaint against the vice president requested a subpoena for Duterte’s bank records, as it accused her of alleged unexplained wealth and material non-disclosure in her statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth.</p><p> “Very clear under the rules that the Justice Committee has… compulsory power to issue compulsory processes… which may be utilized for the purpose of availing of these bank records as an exception to the Bank Secrecy Law,” Luistro said.</p><div> </div><div><strong>CAUTIOUS </strong></div><p>The House Committee on Justice has been very cautious in complying with the House Rules, Supreme Court decisions and the Constitution in its impeachment proceedings against Duterte, according to Luistro. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/5/sara-duterte-given-10-days-to-answer-impeachment-complaints-1154"><strong>Sara Duterte given 10 days to answer impeachment complaints</strong></a></div><p>But she admitted they cannot stop anyone from raising questions against the proceeding before the High Court.</p><p>“Kahit may petition, kung wala namang temporary restraining order, the Justice Committee will simply proceed to its impeachment process,” she also said. </p><p>Luistro also disputed Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte’s claim that the recent House panel decision to declare the two complaints agains his sister sufficient in substance “clearly exposes how certain forces in Congress are willing to weaponize impeachment for political ends rather than uphold fairness and justice”.</p><p>She said: &quot;For as long as nasa-satisfy ‘yung requirements ng question to be determined in the different steps of the impeachment proceeding before the Justice Committee, this is obligatory, this is mandatory upon us to proceed, because this is a Constitutional duty.”</p><p>She said Vice President Duterte has until March 16th to file her verified answer to the two impeachment complaints against her, which the House panel found sufficient in form and substance. </p><p>Luistro added Duterte would still be invited to hearings even if she does not respond to the committee.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/5/no-double-standard-in-house-panel-impeachment-proceedings-rep-zamora-1923"><strong>No double standard in impeachment proceedings — House justice panel members </strong></a></div><p> “If she doesn&#x27;t come, that will merely be interpreted as her waiver of her right to be present during the hearing,” she said.</p><div> </div><div> </div><div><strong>DISINFORMATION</strong></div><p>Adiong meanwhile said he expects disinformation and misinformation efforts to intensify online once the House panel decides to move forward to the hearing proper in the impeachment process against Duterte. </p><p>He urged the public to be more discerning.</p><p>“Ang binibiro ko na lang din ‘yung mga kasamahan ko, sabi ko, sige na lang, at least nakakatulong din tayo doon sa mga walang trabaho. Kasi nabibigyan sila ng pera para maging trolls… Pero ang atin lang, tayo din sa publiko, kailangan maging discerning tayo. Maging masusi ang ating pag-appreciate sa ating mga nakikita online. Kasi karamihan po d’yan ay hindi tama at hindi totoo,” Adiong said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/5/madriaga-threatened-inside-jail-lawyer-says-1720"><strong>Madriaga threatened inside jail, lawyer says </strong></a></div><p>In determining whether there is probable cause to recommend Duterte’s impeachment, a majority vote of all House panel members is needed.</p><p>At the House plenary, the support of at least one-third of the House members is needed to impeach Duterte, and elevate the complaint against her to the Senate impeachment court for trial.</p>

<p>House Committee on Justice Chairperson Gerville Luistro reminded complainants in the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte to be “very vigilant”, following alleged threats to the life of Ramil Madriaga, who claimed to be Duterte’s bagman.</p>

House Committee on Justice Chairperson Gerville Luistro reminded complainants in the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte to be “very vigilant”, following alleged threats to the life of Ramil Madriaga, who claimed to be Duterte’s bagman.

House panel chair calls for 'vigilance' amid alleged threat to Madriaga’s life

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House panel chair calls for 'vigilance' amid alleged threat to Madriaga’s life

Vivienne Gulla,

ABS-CBN News

Published Mar 06, 2026 04:49 PM PHT

Read More:

House of Representatives

Ramil Madriaga

Death Threat

Sara Duterte

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