The legal counsel of Ramil Madriaga, alleged “bagman” of Vice President Sara Duterte, said Duterte visited Madriaga twice at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Annex 2, reportedly offering to talk to a judge regarding kidnapping charges against him.
Atty. Raymund Palad cited a letter from Madriaga and other sources.
“Positive po ito. We have other sources for it nag-confirm na talagang binibisita ni Sara si Ka Ramil. Nung visit ko po ng October 18, may naka-monitor din po… The next day, October 19, bumisita si VP Sara nung gabi kaya may text na pumunta daw ako doon,” Palad said.
“Dalawang beses po siya nagpunta dito. ‘Yun isang beses po late night na. Ang ibang bisita po ay staff niya,” Madriaga wrote in a letter sent to Palad.
In a notarized affidavit previously referred to the Office of the Ombudsman, Madriaga alleged he executed large cash deliveries on Duterte’s behalf and claimed that a national campaign for her was funded by Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) and drug lords.
The Office of the Vice President (OVP) said related matters were already addressed in a December 13 statement:
“Another fishing expedition is now being launched, as they scramble to weaponize any accusation they can manufacture just to create a semblance of procedural legitimacy for an investigation. Hinihikayat ko ang ating mga kababayan na maging mapanuri at huwag basta magpapadala sa mga paninira,” the statement reads.
BJMP and the OVP have yet to respond to the allegations made by Madriaga’s camp.