DILG: Sara Duterte visited Arnie Teves, not Madriaga at Taguig jail

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) confirmed Tuesday that Vice President Sara Duterte visited a jail facility at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City but not for Ramil Madriaga.

At a press conference, DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Duterte visited the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) facility on October 19 for former Negros Oriental representative Arnolfo "Arnie" Teves Jr.

"Pumunta siya roon pero kinausap niya si Arnie Teves. Hindi si Madriaga (He went there but he spoke to Arnie Teves. Not Madriaga)," Remulla said.

Teves is accused of masterminding the killing of former Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo in 2019.

Asked if there was CCTV footage of the meeting, Remulla said, "I think so. May records 'yung warden pinakita (The warden showed records). The warden was there present during the meeting.”

"Wala naman daw pinag-usapan masyado kundi nagkumustahan lang. So that was the extent of the report to me."

(They said they didn't talk that much, they just told each other how they were doing. So that was the extent of the report to me.)

Madriaga, who claimed to be Duterte's former aide, earlier alleged that drug dealers and Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) are funding the Inday Sara Duterte is My President (ISIP) Pilipinas national campaign drive.

Last Monday, Duterte denied having a personal relationship with Madriaga, saying that the latter was working to undermine her possible plans to run for president. 

According to Madriaga, he worked with Duterte's security personnel regarding tactical transport services, securing her 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 he detailed alleged instances wherein he delivered millions and even a billion in cash. 

Madriaga once sought help from Duterte regarding a case. The Vice President reportedly visited him in Camp Bagong Diwa, where he is detained on a kidnapping for ransom charge.

"I do not have a personal relationship with Ramil Madriaga, nor have I ever given him instructions of any kind. I have never visited him in prison, nor have I spoken to him about anything at any time,” the Vice President said. — VDV, GMA Integrated News