Ex-Ombudsman Martires denies receiving money through Madriaga

Former Ombudsman Samuel Martires denied that he received money allegedly sent by the Duterte family through Ramil Madriaga, the self-proclaimed "bagman" of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Madriaga made his allegations on Tuesday before the House committee on justice hearing.

"If the public’s perception that I am close to former President Rodrigo Duterte is true, then I ask a simple question: why would the former President send me money through a nonentity, when he can easily summon me and give it to me directly? That is not how people who are truly close deal with each other. If there is real access, there is no need for an intermediary," Martires said in a statement.

"I ask the same in relation to Vice President Sara Duterte. Why would she send me money through an insignificant person when she does not even know me personally? There is no relationship between us. What business does she have with me that would justify sending any amount of money? The allegation does not answer this because it cannot," he added.

The former Ombudsman said Madriaga's statement was "inconsistent" with a previous sworn affidavit he made in 2025.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                "I have always maintained that when a person changes his story on a material point, his credibility is placed in serious doubt. If it contradicts an earlier declaration, then it cannot be relied upon without serious question," he said.

In his testimony before the committee, Madriaga said, “The remaining bags initially loaded to my Blue FJ Cruiser were immediately transferred to the Red Mazda Sedan prior to our departure from the DepEd compound, and were to be delivered to the OMB parking lot the following day. Previously and upon direct instructions of PRRD or Sara, I have also delivered money to Ombudsman Samuel Martires or  Attorney Ryan which I usually placed inside an open trunk of a designated car,” he said.

The Vice President also issued a statement denying Madriaga's claims. —LDF, GMA News

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