Vice President Sara Duterte has strongly denied allegations about her conduct during her time as a law student, rejecting claims that she needed assistance to graduate and that she was violent or rude toward classmates.
In a statement, Duterte emphasized that one of the accusations she most firmly opposed was the claim that she required help to finish law school.
She said the allegation came from an individual she described as a “bar flunker” and “kidnapping suspect.”
Duterte also stressed that she was never the subject of any formal complaint at San Sebastian College-Recoletos College of Law.
“I was never the subject of any complaint for rudeness or violence against other students at SSC-R College of Law,” she said.
The allegations surfaced after detainee Ramil Madriaga, who has identified himself as Duterte’s former “bagman,” testified before the House Committee on Justice on April 14. Madriaga described the Vice President as “violent and rude” toward her classmates during her law school years.
Duterte’s denial comes as impeachment proceedings against her continue, with testimonies and affidavits raising questions about her past conduct and financial dealings.