Metro Manila, Philippines – Vice President Sara Duterte’s lawyer Paolo Panelo described self-confessed Duterte aide Ramil Madriaga as a “Trojan horse” and even a potential “star witness” for the vice president, saying his testimony could backfire against the impeachment proponents.
Speaking ahead of the April 14 House impeachment hearing, Panelo said the Duterte camp is confident Madriaga’s testimony will collapse under scrutiny.
“In fact, the analogy that I like to use is, he’s like a Trojan horse entering the city of Troy… if they want to bring the Trojan horse… we won’t stand in their way,” Panelo said.
He added that if Madriaga becomes central to the case, it could weaken the allegations.
“Wala talagang patutunguan ‘to kapag si Madriaga naging sentro ng kaso nilang laban kay VP Sara,” he said.
[Translation: This will lead nowhere if Madriaga becomes the center of the case against Vice President Sara.]
Panelo also said the camp views Madriaga as effectively helping their side.
“In a way, you could say that he’s our star witness… we want him to testify… we want him to trip on himself, on his lies for the world to see,” he added.
