Madriaga seeks Ombudsman probe on his allegations vs. VP Sara Duterte

The camp of Ramil Madriaga, who is claiming to be a former aide of Vice President Sara Duterte, on Tuesday asked Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla to probe his allegations as stated in his sworn affidavit.

In a letter to Remulla dated December 16, Madriaga’s counsel, Atty. Mark Anthony Te of Palad Lauron Palad and Te Law Firm, 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 November 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.

House committee on human rights chairperson and Manila Rep. Benny Abante earlier called on the House and Ombudsman to investigate Madriaga's allegations.

Madriaga has alleged that drug dealers and Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators are funding the campaign Inday Sara Duterte is My President (ISIP) Pilipinas.

“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,” Madriaga’s affidavit read. 

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. 

GMA News Online reached out to Duterte's camp for comment and will publish it once available. 

Last week, opposition groups led by Fr. Flavie Villanueva, former Finance undersecretary Cielo Magno, Fr. Robert Reyes, among others, filed a plunder, malversation, graft and other related complaints against the Vice President and at least 15 others with the Office of the Ombudsman over alleged misuse of P612.5 million of confidential funds during her term as Vice President and secretary of the Department of Education.

The Vice President, however, has decried the complaint as a fishing expedition and a cover up for corruption.—AOL, GMA Integrated News