DEPARTMENT of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla confirmed on Tuesday that Vice President Sara Duterte visited unseated Negros Or. Rep. Arnolfo Teves, not her alleged bagman Ramil Madriaga, at the Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.
Remulla said there were records from the warden present during the meeting, showing nothing significant was discussed aside from exchanging greetings.
“The warden had records. The warden who’s there present during the meeting said nothing much was discussed save some greetings. So that was the extent of the report to me,” he added.
Madriaga’s lawyer Raymund Palad earlier claimed the Vice President visited his client twice at the Camp Bagong Diwa jail to discuss pending kidnapping charges,
In a sworn affidavit submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman, Madriaga alleged that he made large cash deliveries on Duterte’s behalf.
He also claimed that the national campaign for her presidential bid in 2022 was funded by Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO) and drug lords.
Remulla said it was up to the courts to determine the credibility of Madriaga’s allegations.
“I think it’s up to the appreciation of the competent courts to discern whether or not there is merit in the affidavit of Madriaga. As for me, I cannot give an opinion on that matter. I’m not a competent authority to discern that,” he explained.
“But I think the Vice President can be assured that Madriaga’s assertions will be examined and scrutinized to the greatest detail and they will check for its veracity.
Duterte on Monday denied having any personal relationship with Madriaga, or giving him any instruction.
The Vice President said the photographs he submitted were “unrelated images taken during public events where I was present.”
“These images do not support his allegations and merely show that he was present as part of an election campaign group,” Duterte said in a statement.
“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 stressed.
