Ombudsman told to submit VP Sara’s SALNs

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla (Courtesy: PNA photo by Joan Bondoc)

THE House Committee on Justice has directed Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla to appear before the panel and submit official records of Vice President Sara Duterte’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) in connection with the ongoing impeachment proceedings.

At the same time, the panel directed the House sergeant-at-arms to enforce heightened security measures for a detained witness tagged as “material and indispensable” in the impeachment proceedings against Duterte.

In a “subpoena testificandum et duces tecum,” the panel directed Remulla to attend the hearing on April 14, 2026 at the House of Representatives in Quezon City.

“You are hereby directed to appear before the Committee on Justice on April 14, 2026, 10:00 A.M., at the 2nd Floor of the People Center, House of Representatives, and to submit the following documents,” the subpoena stated.

It required the submission of certified true copies of Duterte’s SALNs for the years 2022 – 2025 inclusive, 2007 – 2013 inclusive, and 2016 – 2022 inclusive.”

According to the panel, the documents were needed for the purpose of appraising the assets, liabilities and net worth declared by Duterte from the time she entered public service up to the present.

The directive was issued in connection with the verified impeachment complaints filed by Fr. Joel Saballa and others, endorsed by Mamamayang Liberal (ML) party-list Rep. Leila de Lima, as well as a separate complaint by lawyer  Nathaniel Cabrera as endorsed by Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. and Deputy Speaker Paolo  Ortega V of La Union.

The subpoena was issued on March 31, 2026 and bore the authority of House Committee on Justice chairperson, Rep.  Gerville Luistro of Batangas and Speaker Faustino Dy III, with attestation from Secretary General Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil.

The Justice committee also tasked sergeant-at-arms Ferdinand Melchor Dela Cruz to ensure the protection of Ramil Madriaga, who is currently detained at the Camp Bagong Diwa jail in Taguig City.

The directive stemmed from a by Akbayan Rep. Chel Diokno seeking legislative protection for Madriaga.

The committee underscored Madriaga’s role in the case, stating that he “has been determined to be a material and indispensable witness in the ongoing impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Z. Duterte.”

“After due evaluation, the Committee finds that the Petition is impressed with merit,” the order stated.

“In view of the credible threats to the life of Mr. Madriaga arising from his participation in these proceedings, the Committee hereby granted the Petition,” it added.

These include “the augmentation of Madriaga’s existing security detail by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI),” as well as “the provision of adequate and sufficient security during his transport to and from the hearings of the Committee on Justice.”

The panel further required “the implementation of appropriate safeguards to ensure his safety, security, and integrity while he is testifying before the Committee on Justice.”

Copies of the order will be furnished to jail authorities, a Manila trial court, and the witness’ legal counsel, signaling coordinated security arrangements as the House panel presses forward with its evidence-gathering.

The move highlights the increasing significance of testimonial evidence in the proceedings, with Madriaga expected to play a key role as the committee works toward determining whether sufficient grounds exist to elevate the impeachment case to the Senate for trial. — Maricel Cruz