Vice President Sara Duterte filed on Wednesday a perjury complaint against a House of Representatives witness, alleging that “invented stories” are being used to mislead the public and revive tactics similar to those she claimed were employed in the case against former President Rodrigo Duterte before the International Criminal Court (ICC).
In a public statement, the vice president said the ICC case against the former president relied on what she described as purchased or fabricated testimonies from witnesses allegedly linked to former senator Antonio Trillanes IV, including Arturo Lascañas and Edgar Matobato.
“Nakita na natin kung paano umasa ang kaso sa International Criminal Court laban kay Dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte sa mga binili o gawa-gawang salaysay ng mga testigo ni Antonio Trillanes. Kung noon pa lamang ay kinuwestiyon at kinasuhan ang mga kasinungalingang ito, hindi sana nagamit sa ICC ang mga ito laban sa dating pangulo,” Duterte said.
She claimed that a similar strategy is allegedly being repeated in the House of Representatives of the Philippines through a witness identified as Ramil Madriaga.
“Si Madriaga ay isang akusado sa kasong kidnapping na nagpanggap na campaign supporter at mula roon ay biglang lumitaw bilang testigo kuno sa impeachment laban sa akin,” she said.
Duterte announced that she filed a perjury case against Madriaga to hold him accountable.
“Hindi maaaring hayaang gamitin ang mga imbentong kwento upang linlangin ang publiko,” she added.
Perjury, under Philippine law, involves making deliberate false statements under oath and is punishable by imprisonment and fines if proven in court.
The vice president’s remarks came amid ongoing political tensions involving impeachment efforts filed against her at the House of Representatives. While the complaints are still undergoing legislative processes, the issue has intensified partisan debates in Congress.
