Ramil Madriaga, a detainee and self-described former “bagman” of Vice President Sara Duterte, alleged that businessman Michael Yang and a top official from Pharmally Pharmaceuticals provided substantial funding for Duterte’s 2022 election campaign.
In an affidavit submitted to the House Committee on Justice, Madriaga said he helped establish the Initiative for Social Justice, Innovation, and Progress Pilipinas (ISIP Pilipinas, Inc.), a group initially formed to support Duterte’s presidential bid before she opted to run for vice president.
Madriaga claimed that ISIP’s funding came from “friends and supporters” of former President Rodrigo Duterte, including Lin Wei Xiong, identified as a financial officer of Pharmally Pharmaceuticals—the company embroiled in controversial COVID-19 procurement deals.
He alleged that in mid-2021, he personally received ₱175 million in cash from Lin at the basement parking of Seda Hotel in Quezon City.
“The money was placed inside several large backpacks and bags which were handed to me… Lin Wei Xiong was present when I received the said amount… I informed him that this will be used to fund the election of Sara, to which he replied, ‘good, good’,” Madriaga said.
Madriaga further claimed that an additional ₱100 million was provided by foreign businessman Maestrado Lim, whom he met in Davao City.
He also named Michael Yang, former economic adviser to Rodrigo Duterte, as one of the contributors to ISIP’s funds. Yang has previously been linked to illegal drug trade and Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) operations in congressional investigations.
According to Madriaga, ISIP established chapters nationwide to promote Duterte’s candidacy before she ultimately ran as vice president under the UniTeam ticket alongside now-President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.