Abante urges Ombudsman, House to probe Madriaga’s allegations vs. Sara Duterte

Manila Representative Bienvenido “Benny” Abante on Friday called on the Office of the Ombudsman and House panels to investigate allegations that Vice President Sara Duterte’s campaign was funded by drug dealers and Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). 

This came after Ramil Madriaga, an individual claiming to be Duterte’s former employee, claimed that drug dealers and POGO operations funded the Inday Sara Duterte is My President (ISIP) Pilipinas national campaign and other parallel groups. 

“These are serious allegations and are all contained in a sworn affidavit. Napakadetalyado ng mga kwento ni Madriaga. We need to investigate this thoroughly if there is any truth to any of his claims,” Abante, chairman of the House Committee on Human Rights, said. 

Abante said accepting campaign contributions from POGOs and drug dealers is not only illegal but also has implications on national security. 

“Dahil ang POGO ay connected sa China. Kailangan nating malaman kung tumanggap ng pera si VP Duterte sa mga POGO at drug lords,” he added. (Because POGOs are connected to China. We need to know if VP Duterte accepted money from POGOs and drug lords.) Madriaga detailed his allegations in a five-page affidavit. 

“I was able to identify several of these individuals during my frequent pickups of cash-filled bags at locations such as The Gate in Pampanga, Vertis North Mall, and Seda Hotel in Quezon City, and the Grand Hyatt in BGC,” the affidavit read. 

GMA News Online has sought comment from the Office of the Vice President and will publish it as soon as it is available. 

Both former OVP spokesperson Reynold Munsayac and Col. Raymund Lachica–two of the personalities mentioned in the affidavit have denied Madriaga’s allegations, claiming that they did not know Madriaga or have had any dealings with him. 

In an interview with GMA Integrated News, Atty. Raymund Palad, Madriaga’s legal counsel, said their camp will submit the affidavit to the Office of the Ombudsman next week. 

“Ang plano is that by next week, ifo-forward na namin sa Office of the Ombudsman itong salaysay na ito. And let the Ombudsman do its work kung bibigyan nila ng pansin, kung magpapadala sila ng mga imbestigador doon para mapalawak yan at mavalidate yung mga kwento ni Madriaga,” Palad said. 

(The plan is that by next week, we will forward this statement to the Office of the Ombudsman. And let the Ombudsman do its work if they give it attention, if they will send investigators there to expand it and validate Madriaga’s accounts.) 

According to a report on "24 Oras," Madriaga once sought help from the Vice President regarding a case. She reportedly visited him in Camp Bagong Diwa, where he is detained on a kidnapping for ransom charge.

Deliveries of cash, others 

According to Madriaga, he worked with Col. Dennis Nolasco and Lachica regarding tactical transport services, securing Duterte and other VIPs, and transporting large amounts of money to people from July 2022 to April 2023. 

One of the sections in his affidavit was titled “confidential funds,” where Madriaga detailed alleged instances wherein he delivered millions and even a billion in cash. 

According to Madriaga, one of the duffle bags was for a mayor in Laguna. Another duffle bag was for a comedy bar owned and frequented by San Sebastian College of Law (SSC) alumni in Timog, where he saw former OVP spokesperson Reynold Munsayac. 

He said Munsayac instructed him to go upstairs and leave the money at the office. Madriaga also detailed the alleged delivery of P1 billion inside a Super Grandia. 

He said the delivery was verified through a call from former President Rodrigo Duterte, who said that the vehicle was received by two men.

Lifters

Another personality identified by Madriaga in his affidavit was Atty. Mans Carpio, the husband of Duterte. 

He said he was instructed by Carpio to pick up magnetic lifters at the Bureau of Customs. However, this was aborted as the former president’s men tipped them that there was someone who had their eye on magnetic lifters containing methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu. He said Carpio then told him to “do what is necessary.” 

After this, he said he found that the magnetic lifters were released through the efforts of Customs “fixer” Mark Taguba. 

According to Palad, Madriaga is prepared to face criminal liability over the deliveries. He said Madriaga is also willing to surrender his cellphones for investigation. 

“Yes. Nabasa ko na yan sa isang note niya. Kung magkakaroon ng kaso na involved siya, haharapin daw niya yung problema,” he said. 

(Yes. I read that in his notes. If there will be a case, he will face it.) 

However, he said their camp is eyeing to apply as a state witness in this case only. This is because Madriaga has an ongoing kidnapping case.

Denials

Munsayac claimed that the story is “preposterous” and comes from a “polluted source.” 

“The allegations simply defy logic and common human experience. I do not know him personally and never had any dealings with him. My interaction with the group ISIP is limited to Atty. Ryan Quilala,” Munsayac said in a statement. 

In a separate statement, Lachica said he has always carried out his duties in accordance with lawful orders and established protocols. 

“Assignments within the Armed Forces of the Philippines — particularly to security units supporting national officials — are governed by established procedures, formal vetting, and command authority. These processes cannot be influenced by private individuals,” he said. 

Malacañang said the matter must be addressed by Duterte. 

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said this when asked about the allegation of columnist Mon Tulfo that the Vice President is supposedly visiting detainee Ramil Madriaga to convince him not to talk about the alleged connivance among the Dutertes, drug lords, and POGO operators. 

"Kung ano ang masasabi ng Palasyo rito, mas maganda po siguro na si Bise Presidente muna ang inyong tanungin at kung ito ay kaniyang mapapasinungalingan," Castro said. (It's better if the Vice President will be asked about this and if she would be able to dismiss this.) —BAP/NB, GMA Integrated News