MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte intends to present Ramil Madriaga and former senator Antonio Trillanes 4th as witnesses "to disprove the allegations in the" articles of impeachment.
This was contained in a pre-trial brief filed on Monday by her defense team before the Senate sitting as impeachment court.
Madriaga is her alleged former bagman. Duterte has denied giving him any instruction.
The House of Representatives, voting 257-25 with nine abstentions, impeached Duterte on May 11, 2026 over alleged misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, alleged bribery, and the "kill" remark against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. It then sent the impeachment articles to the Senate for trial.
Duterte denied the allegations in the two impeachment complaints heard by the House Committee on Justice. This committee on April 29, 2026 found probable cause to impeach Duterte, sending the impeachment articles to the House plenary for action.
