Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Partylist Representative Leila de Lima said she is carefully reviewing allegations made by self-proclaimed “bagman” Ramil Madriaga against Vice President Sara Duterte.
De Lima said she received a handwritten letter from Madriaga, dated November 17, coursed through his lawyer, Atty. Raymund Palad.
“Nagpapatulong po siya sa kanyang mga kaso. Sabi nya doon sa handwritten letter coursed through his lawyer, Atty. Palad, na ang sinasabi niya sa kanyang letter ay ginigipit siya dahil sa kanyang mga naging akusasyon laban kay Atty. Harry Roque…. dahil mayroon siyang sinampang kaso about land grabbing somewhere in Mariveles, Bataan. Of course, hindi ko alam tungkol dyan sa kaso na yan,” she said.
She also received a notarized affidavit on November 29, which contained “very sensitive, very grave” accusations not only against Vice President Sara but also involving a former president.
De Lima visited Madriaga in detention on December 8, meeting him for over two hours with his lawyer present.
“I interviewed him, I asked questions, searching questions, I played devil’s advocate doon sa kanyang mga alegasyon sa kanyang affidavit. So inisa-isa ko po yun, yung kanyang alegasyon,” she said.
Madriaga reportedly claimed he has additional information in another affidavit and possesses evidence supporting his allegations.
“Syempre ako po bilang abogada, and bilang dating Justice secretary sanay naman po ako na nagha-handle ng ganitong bagay. Pero dahil nga po mga seryoso ang akusasyon kailangan po sinusuri ito ng maagi. Kailangan nagiging maingat lalo na nga po at meron akong sariling personal na experience na yung mga nag-akusa sa akin ay laway lang,” De Lima said.
She emphasized that she wants to review supporting proof before taking any action.
“So sabi ko I like to see that before anuman ang pwede kong gawin na makakatulong, bago ako to take any action let me first reserve any judgement. Kasi gusto ko pag merong mga ganitong mga bagay na maselan, sensitibo ay maging maingat,” she added.
On Madriaga’s possible motivation, De Lima said, “Parang ang sinasabi niya sa lahat ng pinaggagagawa nya for them, na parang ginawa siyang intelligence officer… parang naging political officer sya… and yung mga supposedly deliveries of money… and then ngayon na nagkakaso siya dahil kinasuhan daw niya si Harry Roque… ay bigla siyang binitawan. Something like that, so sama ng loob. Yan ang nababasa kong motivation.”