Metro Manila, Philippines – Vice President Sara Duterte has filed a perjury complaint against detained former military agent Ramil Madriaga, who claimed to have acted as a bagman for the second-highest official in the country.
Duterte personally appeared at the Office of the Prosecutor in Taguig City to take her oath in filing the complaint on Wednesday, March 4.
Madriaga earlier said he delivered duffle bags filled with cash to a number of people from 2022 to 2023, upon the instruction of Duterte and her security aides.
He also alleged that the funding for Duterte’s election campaign came from drug lords and illegal offshore gaming. The vice president denied the claims.
In an interview after the filing, legal counsel Paolo Panelo said Duterte is seeking accountability from those “spreading lies and misinformation,” maintaining Duterte has no professional and personal relationship with Madriaga.
Duterte did not grant an interview during the filing. However, in a statement, she slammed the use of Madriaga’s affidavit in the ongoing impeachment deliberations at the House justice committee.
Madriaga’s affidavit was included in multiple impeachment complaints filed against her, with some lawmakers saying it may serve as the new evidence against the second highest official.
“Hindi maaaring hayaang gamitin ang mga imbentong kwento upang linlangin ang publiko,” Duterte said.
[Translation: It should not be allowed to use fabricated stories to deceive the public.]
