MANILA – Security concerns involving Ramil Madriaga have become a key issue in the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte, with a House justice panel member saying his role is critical to evaluating parts of the complaint.

Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said the committee expects both subpoenaed documents and an update from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) during the next hearing set on April 14.

“We already adopted the (motion) to subpoena all the documents … The members will be expecting this to be available (during the next hearing),” Adiong said in a news release.

He added that lawmakers are also awaiting a report from the NBI, particularly after the panel acted on a request to enhance Madriaga’s security.

Adiong said the matter now goes beyond general witness protection, as Madriaga’s testimony is directly linked to key portions of the impeachment complaint.

“There was actually a request to beef up the security of Madriaga because his participation would be consequential in the determination of the impeachment hearing. Because parts of the Articles of Impeachment are Article 3 and 4 of the complaints, which is the testimony of Madriaga,” he said.

He noted that concerns over Madriaga’s safety have become intertwined with the substance of the case, given the significance of his testimony to the proceedings.

The upcoming hearing is expected to include both documentary evidence and witnesses summoned by the panel, with Adiong expressing hope that the requested records will be made available.

“I would anticipate that these documents would be made available in the next committee hearing,” he said.