House deputy minority leader Leila de Lima on Monday urged the Office of the Ombudsman and Department of Justice (DOJ) to look into the sworn allegations of Ramil Lagunoy Madriaga, who claims that Vice President Sara Duterte’s 2021–2022 campaign was bankrolled by money from Philippine Overseas Gaming Operators (POGOs) and drug traffickers.
“Ang gusto ko rin sabihin dito ay since seryoso itong mga alegasyon na ito, then it is worth looking into,” De Lima stressed, referring to the contents of Madriaga’s affidavit, notarized last Nov. 29.
(What I also want to say here is that since these allegations are serious, it is worth looking into.)
The lady lawmaker said she was able to obtain copies of the affidavit.
Among the acts Madriaga alleged were cash deliveries he personally delivered at a Timog comedy bar where then OVP spokesperson Reynold Munsayac was supposedly present, handoffs in the Office of the Ombudsman parking area and at SM Megamall, runs using a white Toyota Vios carrying as much as P80 million, and repeated drop-offs at a residence in Jordan Plains, Novaliches.
He also claimed to have organized the ISIP Pilipinas network and to have worked under figures connected to the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group.
These are allegations that now require an independent review, with those named publicly denying any ties.
De Lima, a former justice secretary, said she was able to interview Madriaga, a former aide to the Duterte family, inside his jail cell at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in Bicutan, Taguig City, on December 8, in the presence of his counsel, lawyer Raymund Palad.
“I received a copy of the affidavit at syempre nakita ko, napaka-sensitibo, napakabigat ng kanyang mga akusasyon laban, hindi lang laban kay VP Sara kundi mayroon din siyang mga sinasabi tungkol sa dating Pangulo,” she said of Madriaga, who claims to have been an “intelligence officer” of the previous Duterte administration.
“I received a copy of the affidavit, and of course, I saw, very sensitive, very heavy his accusations against, not only against VP Sara, but he also has things to say about the former President)
“Mayroon siyang nabanggit na mga personalidad, mayroon siyang nabanggit na mga alleged delivery of big sums of money, mga duffle bags, yung mga nasa sasakyan na tinu-turnover,” noted the deputy minority leader.
(He has mentioned personalities, he has mentioned alleged deliveries of big sums of money, duffle bags, those in the car that are being turned over)
“That’s the most that can be done at this point, the appropriate body, whether it’s the DOJ, NBI, Ombudsman, tignan nila, busisiin nila itong mga akusasyon na ito kasi seryosong mga akusasyon ito kasi tungkol sa POGO funding the candidacy of VP, drug money allegedly funding the candidacy of VP Sara (let them look, they must investigate these accusations because these are serious accusations that involves POGO funding for the candidacy of VP, drug money allegedly funding the candidacy of VP Sara),” she said.
De Lima said the allegations made by Madriaga about the Vice President were very serious and should not be taken for granted.
“Kailangan din po itong imbestigahan kasi napaka-seryoso ng mga alegasyon. Like I said, I’m reserving my judgement…kasi ang ano dito, again, is about the credibility. Credibility of the person and the credibility of the story. There may be issues on the credibility of the person, but what about the story?” she said.
(It also needs to be investigated because the allegations are very serious. Like I said, I’m reserving my judgment…because what’s here, again, is about credibility. Credibility of the person and the credibility of the story. There may be issues with the credibility of the person, but what about the story?)
“Kasi ang nakikita ko…sa tingin ko, doon sa information din na kinourse through the counsel is na-establish in a satisfactory manner yung kanyang relationship sa mga Duterte, kay VP Sara,” said the Mamamayang Liberal Party-list solon.
(Because from what I see…I think, in the information that was provided through the counsel, his relationship with the Dutertes, with VP Sara, has been established in a satisfactory manner.)
She added: “So in my view, as to the subject or the issue of his connection to the Dutertes, mukha namang mayroon siyang pinapakita na batayan. Pero ang hinihintay ko, ang gusto kong makita, is yung supporting proof nung kanyang akusasyon.”
(So in my view, as to the subject or the issue of his connection to the Dutertes, it looks like he has established a basis. But what I’m waiting for, what I want to see, is the supporting proof of his accusation.)
