Diretsahang hamon ang inilabas ni Atty. Raymund Palad nitong Linggo kay Vice President Sara Duterte na dumalo sa pagdinig sa Abril 14 sa House Justice Committee, kung saan nakatakdang magpatotoo si Ramil Madriaga sa ilalim ng panunumpa.
“We strongly reject Atty. Salvador Panelo Jr.’s attempt to label my client as the ‘weakest link’ even before he has testified. This is a clear attempt to discredit a witness in advance and shape public perception ahead of the facts,” ani Palad.
Giit niya, handa si Madriaga na humarap sa pagdinig at ikinagalak ang oportunidad na ihayag ang kanyang nalalaman sa proper forum, na ang kredibilidad ay inaalam batay sa ebidensya at hind isa press briefings.
Nilinaw ni Palad na hindi nila inakusahan si VP Sara na nasa likod ng anumang banta. “That narrative did not come from our side and should not be used to deflect from the real issues,” dagdag niya.
Binigyang-diin pa niya ang “pattern” ng mga kasong isinampa laban kay Madriaga bago ang kanyang testimonya.
“Months of silence followed by a sudden wave of legal actions—perjury and libel—filed just as Mr. Madriaga is about to testify. The timing raises serious questions as to whether these are genuine legal remedies or attempts to intimidate and discredit a key witness,” aniya.
Tinukoy rin ni Palad ang ginawa ng administrasyong Duterte: “Individuals with far more serious credibility issues—including convicted persons—were presented in support of cases against political opponents. Mr. Madriaga, by contrast, is not convicted of any crime and is entitled to the full presumption of innocence under the law.” # (RRN)