The lawyers of impeachment complaint witness Ramil Madriaga on Wednesday acknowledged the filing of the perjury complaint by Vice President Sara Duterte against him and said their client stands by the truthfulness of his affidavit.
In a press statement, the Palad Lauron Palad & Te Law Firm said: “Perjury is a serious criminal accusation. It should never be used as a tool to intimidate, retaliate, or silence individuals who provide sworn testimony in matters of public concern.”
Madriaga’s counsel stressed that perjury requires proof that a statement is false, material to the issue, and made with deliberate intent to deceive.
“These are not matters of speculation or public rhetoric; they must be proven with clear evidence,” the statement read.
Duterte on Wednesday filed a perjury complaint before the Office of the Prosecutor in Taguig City against her alleged former aide, who earlier claimed to have served as her bagman.
The law firm raised questions about the timing of the VP’s complaint, noting that Madriaga’s affidavit was executed and notarized on Nov. 29, 2025 and submitted in connection with impeachment proceedings.
“The question naturally arises: why only now?” the firm said, adding that the public is entitled to consider whether the complaint is a legitimate legal action or a response to sworn testimony that raised serious issues.
Madriaga, who is himself facing accusations, remains entitled to the constitutional presumption of innocence, his lawyers said.
They added that public attacks on his character do not address the substantive matters raised in his affidavit.
The statement also underscored that issues surrounding the use of confidential funds require “direct and transparent answers,” and that filing criminal complaints against individuals who executed affidavits does not resolve those concerns.
Madriaga’s camp said he executed his affidavit in good faith and based on information he believes to be true, and that he is prepared to address the complaint before the proper forum.
Madriaga is a detained kidnapping suspect who recently become a key but highly contested figure in the political controversies surrounding Duterte.
His name surfaced prominently after he issued affidavits accusing the Vice President of receiving funds from Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs) and drug-linked financiers—claims she has strongly denied.
Madriaga submitted affidavits late last year alleging that POGOs and drug dealers funded Sara Duterte’s 2022 campaign, and that he personally delivered large sums of money on her instructions.
These allegations were included in the impeachment complaints against the Vice President currently being deliberated in the House of Representatives.
