Metro Manila, Philippines – The Office of the Ombudsman will meet Ramil Madriaga, Vice President Sara Duterte’s self-confessed bagman, to verify his credibility once the impeachment hearings are finished, Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said.
“I believe that the Office of the Ombudsman needs to have an opportunity to observe his demeanor when the time comes…I believe the credibility will be seen more so when we are able to have a face-to-face with him,” Clavano told reporters in a press briefing on Thursday, April 16.
“Papaunahin natin ‘yung House, saka natin siya kakausapin,” he added.
[Translation: We’ll let the House of Representatives talk to him first before we meet with him]
Clavano said Madriaga’s affidavit, which was referred to their office in December 2025, was added to the records of the consolidated complaints against Duterte involving plunder for alleged misuse of confidential funds. He noted that the complaints are now under the fact-finding stage.
In his supplemental affidavit presented during the impeachment hearing, Madriaga alleged that Duterte’s ₱125-million confidential funds were disposed of in less than one day.
Clavano said this is an allegation they need to look at.
“We were relying on previous statements where allegations [were] eleven days, now naiba ang kwento naging 24 hours na [now the story has changed, it was disposed in 24 hours]. But again only one person has said that. Despite it being under oath because it was said in the hearing, the credibility still is something that we have to really look into and make sure of,” he said.
Asked on the Commission on Audit’s order for Duterte to return at least ₱73.2 million disallowed confidential funds, Clavano said this holds probative value.
Prosecutor summoned
Meanwhile, the office issued a show cause order against assistant special prosecutor Ryan Quilala whom Madriaga accused of receiving money from the vice president and her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte.
In an order dated April 15, the office’s internal affairs board gave Quilala two days to respond.
“You are reminded that any proof of your participation in the alleged illegal activities with Mr. Madriaga may subject you to administrative and criminal prosecution,” the order read.
Clavano said upon monitoring the impeachment proceedings, the accusation against Madriaga “ seems to be much deeper.”
He added that there are internal discussions on how the office would act on Madriaga’s allegation, implicating former Ombudsman Samuel Martires as an alleged beneficiary of money from the Dutertes.
