Evidence vs. public servants should not be used for politicking — Palace

Malacañang said Tuesday that pieces of evidence against any public servant should not be used for  politicking.

At a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro was asked for comment on how serious does Malacañang think of the allegations made by Ramil Madriaga against Vice President Sara Duterte.

Castro said all allegations regarding stealing of public funds should be investigated.

''Kung sinuman ang makakapagbigay ng anumang ebidensiya laban sa sinumang public servant at ito’y may patungkol sa anomalya, paglulustay, pagnanakaw ng pondo ng bayan, dapat lamang pong maimbestigahan,'' Castro said.

(Anyone who could provide evidence as to any public servants who are allegedly involved in anomalies and stealing public funds should be investigated.)

''Siguraduhin lamang po na ito ay hindi pamumulitika, kailangan managot ang dapat managot,'' she added.

(These should not be used in politicking as those who are liable must be penalized.)

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.

According to Madriaga, he worked with Colonel Dennis Nolasco and Colonel Raymund 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.

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

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

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

Ombudsman probe 

Manila Representative Bienvenido “Benny” Abante has called on the Office of the Ombudsman and House panels to investigate these allegations.

Meanwhile, plunder and graft complaints were filed against Duterte and 15 other officials of the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Office of the Vice President (OVP) over the alleged misuse of P612.5-million confidential funds.

Duterte was DepEd secretary from 2022 to 2024.

Vice President Duterte has slammed this and called this as "another fishing expedition" and a cover-up for the corruption and misuse of public funds. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News