Photo credit: Chel Diokno

A key development is unfolding in the impeachment proceedings against Sara Duterte, as Akbayan Representative Chel Diokno formally asked the House Committee on Justice to place a detained witness under its custody to ensure his safety and testimony.

In a letter to the committee, Diokno requested that Ramil Madriaga, a jailed witness believed to hold crucial information, be transferred to the committee’s custody. The lawmaker said the move would help guarantee Madriaga’s security and availability as a witness once the impeachment proceedings enter a more detailed phase.

Diokno also urged the committee to issue subpoenas for key documents that could play a major role in the case. Among those requested are the Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) of Vice President Duterte, as well as other financial records that could determine whether there is any “unexplained wealth” or undeclared assets.

Aside from financial records, the Akbayan lawmaker also asked for documents related to the investigation conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation. The probe involves the alleged threats made by the vice president against Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker of the House Martin Romualdez.

The House committee is expected to discuss these requests next week as lawmakers prepare for the evidentiary phase of the impeachment proceedings—where testimonies and documents will take center stage in determining the outcome of the case.

If approved, the requests could shape the direction of the investigation and potentially bring new evidence and testimonies into the high-profile impeachment battle.