MALACANANG on Tuesday said allegations of corruption against Vice President Sara Duterte should be investigated if backed by evidence, but cautioned against using the claims for political ends.
Meanwhile, the camp of Ramil Madriaga, who claimed to be a former aide of the Vice President, asked Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla to look into his allegations as stated in his sworn affidavit.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro made the statement after Madriaga, who claimed to be a bagman of Duterte, submitted an affidavit to the Office of the Ombudsman detailing allegations involving public funds.
“Anyone who can provide evidence against any public servant involving anomalies, misuse or theft of public funds should be investigated,” Castro told reporters.
“What is important is that this should not be politicized. Those who are liable should be held accountable,” she added.
The remarks came amid renewed calls from House Deputy Minority Leader and Mamamayan Liberal party-list Rep. Leila de Lima to take the allegations seriously, citing the large sums of money involved.
De Lima has said the plunder and graft complaints filed against the Vice President could form the basis of a new impeachment complaint once the one-year constitutional bar lapses.
Asked about claims that illegal money, including proceeds linked to Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) or drug syndicates, was used during Duterte’s 2022 campaign, Castro said President Marcos has no personal knowledge of any such transactions.
“The President has no personal knowledge of any possible transactions of the Vice President with POGO operators or drug lords,” Castro said.
“He has nothing to say regarding those allegations,” she added.
On the possibility of another impeachment move against Duterte, Castro said the issue is currently not a concern of the President.
“At this point, impeachment is not an issue for the President,” she said.
“But the President has said before that if someone should be held accountable, they should be held accountable. No one should be spared. In general, anyone who may have committed wrongdoing must answer before the law,” Castro added.
Duterte has repeatedly denied allegations of corruption and wrongdoing. The Ombudsman has yet to announce whether it will formally take up Madriaga’s affidavit as a basis of an investigation.
In a letter to Remulla dated Dec.16, Madriaga’s counsel, lawyer Mark Anthony Te sought the attention of the Ombudsman regarding matters stated in his client’s affidavit “for appropriate action, evaluation, and such proceedings as may be warranted under applicable laws, rules, and regulations.”
Madriaga’s affidavit, according to his camp, was executed last Nov. 29 and notarized by lawyer Cynthia Vinas-Pantonal.
“We respectfully refer and endorse the attached Notarized Affidavit to your Honorable Office for proper disposition in accordance with your established procedures. Should your Office require additional documents, clarificatory statements, we undertake to coordinate and comply at the soonest possible time, subject to due notice,” the letter read.
“We submit this referral in deference to the Ombudsman’s authority to investigate and act upon acts or omissions of public officers and employees, and we respectfully request that the Affiant and this law firm be duly informed of any action taken, as well as any directives for further compliance,” it added.
