The camp of Ramil Madriaga, an alleged former aide of Vice President Sara Duterte, on Thursday denied involvement in coordinated efforts to malign the Vice President amid graft and plunder complaints filed against her over the alleged misuse of ₱612.5 million in confidential funds.
Lawyer Raymond Palad clarified that Madriaga is not connected to the complaints filed by groups led by Fr. Flavie Villanueva, former Finance undersecretary Cielo Magno, and Fr. Robert Reyes.
“We are not in touch with those who filed a plunder complaint. If you read his affidavit, these are not related to COA findings. The plunder complainants are about COA findings, the ₱73 million notice of disallowance the COA issued [to the Vice President], the use of ₱125 million in 11 days,” Palad said.
“All of these [allegations in the plunder complaint] are not in the affidavit of Madriaga. So to those saying we are part of coordinated efforts against the Vice President, that the Palace is behind this, they won’t be able to do this together. Kahit i-check mo ang pangalan ko, hindi ako lawyer ng pulitiko, hindi rin ako nagra-rally for or against a candidate,” he added.
Madriaga has alleged in his affidavit that drug dealers and Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs) are funding the campaign Inday Sara Duterte is My President (ISIP) Pilipinas.
“I was able to identify several of these individuals during my frequent pickups of cash-filled bags at locations such as The Gate in Pampanga, Vertis North Mall, and Seda Hotel in Quezon City, and the Grand Hyatt in BGC,” the affidavit read.
Palad also noted that Madriaga has requested the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to conduct forensic exams on three mobile phones previously confiscated in a pending criminal case, which are currently under the custody of Manila RTC Branch 21.