Metro Manila, Philippines – Detained former military agent Ramil Madriaga, who has described himself as Vice President Sara Duterte’s former “bagman,” has submitted his affidavit to the Office of the Ombudsman for evaluation and appropriate action.
His lawyers asked the Office of the Ombudsman to act on Madriaga’s sworn allegations, saying his affidavit may warrant “administrative, criminal, and/or other remedial action” against public officials.
In a Dec. 15 letter addressed to Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, Madriaga’s counsel Raymund Palad wrote that the affidavit contains “relevant narration of facts and circumstances that, upon evaluation by your Honorable Office, may call for administrative, criminal, and/or other remedial action within the Ombudsman’s constitutional and statutory mandate.”
The law firm further told the Ombudsman that it was “respectfully refer[ring] and endors[ing] the attached Notarized Affidavit… for proper disposition in accordance with your established procedures,” adding that it would comply with any request for additional documents or clarificatory statements.
The affidavit, executed, and notarized in Taguig City on Nov. 29, 2025, alleged that proceeds from illegal drugs and Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) were used to finance the 2022 national campaign of Vice President Sara Duterte — accusations her allies have strongly denied as false, fabricated, and politically motivated.
Madriaga, who is currently detained, identified himself in the affidavit as a long-time operative who handled logistics, covert cash deliveries, and sensitive field operations allegedly involving senior officials. His claims have not been independently verified by NewsWatch Plus.
One of the affidavit’s most dramatic claims involves a Toyota Super Grandia allegedly loaded with ₱1 billion in cash.
Madriaga said that around February 2020, he was instructed by a Presidential Security Group member he identified as MSgt. Canlas to retrieve the vehicle at a fast-food restaurant in Quezon City and deliver it to locations in southern Metro Manila.
“This delivery was later verified through a call from President Duterte himself,” Madriaga claimed, saying the former president allegedly confirmed that the vehicle had been received. The affidavit does not provide independent corroboration of the alleged call.
Cash-filled vehicles before 2022 campaign
Madriaga further alleged that in January 2022, Vice President Duterte personally instructed him through phone calls to retrieve vehicles containing cash and deliver them to a house in Novaliches, Quezon City.
He claimed that at least two vehicles — both Honda Civics — were delivered to the same address days apart. The affidavit does not identify the occupants of the house or provide documentation of the alleged communications.
POGO and drug money claims
In another section, Madriaga alleged that campaign-related activities under a group he identified as “ISIP Pilipinas” were funded by money from POGO operators and drug dealers. He claimed to have personally collected cash from several locations in Pampanga, Quezon City, and Taguig, including hotels and commercial centers.
The Office of the Vice President has yet to comment on Madriaga’s claims but her allies rejected the allegations, calling them unsubstantiated and reliant solely on the testimony of a detained individual.
