MANILA — A waiver of bank secrecy rights by Ramil Madriaga could make him a key witness if the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte reaches the Senate, Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V of La Union said Saturday.

Ortega, one of the endorsers of the fourth impeachment complaint, said Madriaga’s willingness to open his financial records strengthens his credibility as a witness in the case.

“Napaka-credible ng witness na walang itinatago. The fact na kaya at willing si Mr. Madriaga na mag-tell all at mag-open all, ibig sabihin ay kaya niyang patunayan ang lahat ng kanyang sinasabi. Kusa na siyang nagpapasilip ng kanyang mga bank accounts,” Ortega said.

He said the waiver allows investigators to verify claims through financial records and trace alleged fund movements.

“Natural lang na ang susunod na tanong ay: nasaan ang patunay nito? Doon nagiging mahalaga ang waiver, dahil puwede nang sundan hindi lang ang tao kundi pati ang daloy ng pera,” he added.

Madriaga earlier told the House Committee on Justice on April 14 that he allegedly acted as a financial “dummy” during the Duterte administration, claiming bank accounts under his name were used in transactions he did not personally open or manage.

He also alleged that he was instructed to collect and deliver large sums of money, including claims of PHP100 million withdrawals and the delivery of Landbank manager’s checks to locations in Pampanga, Malacañang, and Quezon City.

“So, malalaman natin kung nagsasabi si Madriaga ng totoo. Makikita natin ang bank records, makikita natin ang paper trail, makikita natin kung sino at saan idineposito,” Ortega said.

Meanwhile, Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua said Madriaga’s testimony helps fill gaps in the alleged flow of confidential funds linked to the Office of the Vice President.

Chua, chair of the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, said earlier testimonies from Special Disbursing Officers indicated that funds were turned over to military officers assigned to secure the Vice President.

“Now, after the SDOs gave the funds to Nolasco and Lachica, what happened next? So ngayon, based dito sa affidavit ni Madriaga, binigay dito, binigay dito, binigay dito,” Chua said in a televised interview.

He also raised questions over the alleged involvement of Armed Forces of the Philippines officers Col. Dennis Nolasco and Col. Raymund Dante Lachica, noting they are not authorized to handle or disburse confidential funds.

“Now, who is Colonel Nolasco? Who is Colonel Lachica? They are not connected. They’re not even connected to OVP and DepEd kasi AFP sila eh. Ang trabaho nila is to secure the Vice President, not to disperse,” Chua said.

Chua added that responsibility for confidential funds rests with agency heads and designated disbursing officers, regardless of Madriaga’s testimony.

The House Committee on Justice is currently determining whether the impeachment complaints against Duterte have sufficient basis to be elevated to a Senate trial.