Sara Duterte Fires Legal Shot at Man Claiming Secret Cash Deliveries
SARA DUTERTE – The political tension escalates as Sara Duterte files a perjury complaint against Ramil Madriaga over his controversial claims.
Vice President Sara Duterte has taken legal action against Ramil Madriaga, filing a perjury complaint after he publicly claimed to have served as her alleged “bagman.”
The complaint was lodged on Wednesday, marking Duterte’s firm response to accusations she strongly denies. Madriaga had earlier asserted that he carried out large-scale cash transactions on her behalf and made serious allegations regarding campaign funding sources.
Duterte has consistently rejected these claims. She previously emphasized that she had never given Madriaga “instructions of any kind” and clarified that she had “never visited him in prison, nor have I spoken to him about anything at any time.”
Addressing the photographs presented by Madriaga as supposed proof, the Vice President dismissed their relevance. She explained that the images were “unrelated images taken during public events where I was present.”
She further criticized the lack of evidence supporting the accusations. “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 continued.
Madriaga’s claims were detailed in a notarized affidavit that was referred to the Office of the Ombudsman in December 2025. In the document, he alleged that he facilitated substantial cash deliveries for Duterte and claimed that a national campaign for her was financed by Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) and drug lords.
However, Duterte questioned Madriaga’s credibility and motives. She pointed out that he is “currently facing serious criminal charges and has a prior criminal record, appears to be acting out of desperation to secure his release from detention.”
According to the Vice President, the accusations form part of a broader attempt to damage her political prospects. “He is now disseminating false statements to government authorities as part of a concerted effort to obstruct and undermine my possible candidacy for President,” she said.
Madriaga had identified himself as an intelligence and security officer under then-President Rodrigo Duterte. He also claimed that in 2020, he organized the group Inday Sara Duterte is my President (ISIP), where he served as national convenor.
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