Teves wants Madriaga dead? Sara Duterte’s lawyer says claim ‘comical’

A lawyer of Vice President Sara Duterte on Friday dismissed the allegation that former Negros Oriental representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves was supposedly behind the threats to Ramil Madriaga’s life. 

Atty. Paolo Panelo Jr., Duterte’s legal counsel for the perjury complaint filed against Madriaga, described the claim as “comical” and an “obvious falsehood,” saying that it was propagated by a “polluted source” who also supposedly lied about his links with the Vice President.

“Let us recall that Madriaga, through his counsel, previously claimed that Vice President Sara Duterte visited him in jail to persuade him not to testify. That story was quickly debunked by DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla, who confirmed that VP Sara visited Teves, not Madriaga,” Panelo said in a statement.

“Since his lie was exposed, Madriaga has conveniently shifted his narrative to insinuate that VP Sara, through Teves, is behind the alleged threat to his life,” he added.

During the hearing of the House committee on justice on Wednesday, a subpoena was issued to Madriaga and his affidavit amid the impeachment proceedings against Duterte.

Akbayan Party-list Representative Chel Diokno also requested that Madriaga’s security be beefed up by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), saying that Madriaga is fearing for his life and has lost trust in other persons deprived of liberty, as well as jail officers due to threats to his life.

Diokno also said that Madriaga, who is currently detained at Camp Bagong Diwa on a kidnapping charge, claimed that it was Teves who was after his life.

Teves’ legal counsel, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio denied this, calling it “poppycock.”

Duterte’s lawyer also condemned the House committee’s supposed “blind acceptance” of the narrative. 

“The House Justice Committee’s blind acceptance of this ridiculous and unsubstantiated narrative from a ‘polluted source’ only confirms the Committee’s willingness to entertain fabrications in pursuit of a politically motivated agenda,” Panelo added. 

Madriaga has identified himself as a former aide of Duterte, but the Vice President repeatedly refuted having a personal relationship with him. 

Madriaga had alleged that drug dealers and Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators funded the campaign Inday Sara Duterte is My President (ISIP) Pilipinas. One section of his affidavit was titled “confidential funds,” where he detailed alleged instances wherein he delivered millions and even a billion in cash. —AOL, GMA Integrated News