Vice President Sara Duterte has denied any involvement with alleged former bagman Ramil Madriaga, describing him as someone attempting to undermine her possible 2028 presidential bid with “baseless and desperate accusations.”
“I do not have a personal relationship with Ramil Madriaga, nor have I ever given him instructions of any kind. I have never visited him in prison, nor have I spoken to him about anything at any time,” Duterte said.
She also dismissed photographs submitted by Madriaga, saying they were taken at public events and do not support his claims.
“The photographs he submitted are unrelated images taken during public events where I was present. These images do not support his allegations and merely show that he was present as part of an election campaign group,” she said.
“Mr. Madriaga has offered no proof, no documents, no corroboration, only accusations. Bare allegations, no matter how loudly repeated, amount to nothing more than noise,” she added.
Duterte questioned Madriaga’s motives, pointing out that he faces serious criminal charges and has a prior record. She said his actions appear driven by desperation to secure his release from detention.
“Mr. Madriaga appears to be acting out of desperation to secure his release from detention. He is now disseminating false statements to government authorities as part of a concerted effort to obstruct and undermine my possible candidacy for President,” Duterte said.
The controversy arose after Madriaga claimed in an affidavit that he was a former aide of VP Duterte and alleged that her 2022 campaign was financed by POGO operators and drug lords.
Duterte’s legal counsel and Madriaga’s claims about prison visits were also denied by the Vice President.