Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Partylist Representative Leila de Lima called on the Office of the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate allegations made by self-confessed bagman Ramil Madriaga against Vice President Sara Duterte, citing the seriousness of the claims.
“Ang gusto ko rin sabihin dito ay since seryoso itong mga alegasyon na ito, then it is worth looking into, for example, by the Office of the Ombudsman,” de Lima said.
Madriaga, currently detained at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), has alleged that Duterte’s initial 2022 presidential bid was funded by Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs) and illegal drug money. Duterte later dropped the plan and ran for vice president alongside then-ally President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
De Lima said Madriaga sent her a handwritten letter dated November 17 before the public release of his notarized affidavit. She later visited him at the BJMP facility in Bicutan, Taguig City on December 8, where they spoke for more than two hours.
“I received a copy of the affidavit at syempre nakita ko, napaka-sensitibo, napakabigat ng kanyang mga akusasyon laban, hindi lang laban kay VP Sara kundi mayroon din siyang mga sinasabi tungkol sa dating Pangulo,” she said.
“Mayroon siyang nabanggit na mga personalidad, mayroon siyang nabanggit na mga alleged delivery of big sums of money, mga duffle bags, yung mga nasa sasakyan na tinu-turnover,” she added.
According to de Lima, Madriaga claimed to have evidence supporting his allegations, prompting her to urge authorities to examine the matter.
“That’s the most that can be done at this point— the appropriate body, whether it’s the DOJ, NBI, Ombudsman, tignan nila, busisiin nila itong mga akusasyon na ito kasi seryosong mga akusasyon ito kasi tungkol sa POGO funding the candidacy of VP, drug money allegedly funding the candidacy of VP Sara,” she said.
She stressed that while questions remain about Madriaga’s credibility, the substance of his claims must still be scrutinized.
“Kailangan din po itong imbestigahan kasi napaka-seryoso ng mga alegasyon. Like I said, I’m reserving my judgement… kasi (it’s) bout the credibility. Credibility of the person and the credibility of the story. There may be issues on the credibility of the person, but what about the story?” de Lima said.
De Lima noted that while Madriaga appeared to show some basis for his claimed connection to the Dutertes, she is still awaiting concrete proof of the alleged money deliveries.
“So in my view, as to the subject or the issue of his connection to the Dutertes, mukha namang mayroon siyang pinapakita na batayan. Pero ang hinihintay ko, ang gusto kong makita, is yung supporting proof nung kanyang akusasyon,” she said.