Sara Duterte's ex-security chief says Madriaga's claims 'inconsistent'

The former head of the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group (VPSPG) has described the allegations made by Ramil Madriaga, who identified himself as a former “bagman” for Vice President Sara Duterte, as “glaring” with inconsistencies. 

This came after Madriaga presented himself before the House Committee on Justice to testify during the hearing on the impeachment complaints against Duterte. 

READ: Who is Ramil Madriaga?

Former VPSPG chief Colonel Raymund Dante Lachica said that Madriaga gave at least three versions of his claims: his original affidavit, a supplemental affidavit, and his most recent testimony.

He said Madriaga’s conflicting statements across multiple sworn declarations undermine the credibility of his testimony.

“This is no longer about allegations—this is about consistency. And the inconsistencies are glaring,” Lachica said in a statement issued Thursday.

The ex-VPSPG chief stressed that testimony alone is not proof and that allegations must be supported by verifiable evidence, documentary records, and independent corroboration.

“The developments do not validate the allegations—they raise the burden to prove them,” Lachica said. “In the end, credibility will be decided not by repetition—but by evidence, consistency, and truth.”

Attend next hearing

In response, Madriaga’s lawyer, Atty. Raymond Palad, called on Lachica to voluntarily appear at the House of Representatives on April 22, 2026 and attend the committee on justice's next hearing and explain his side. 

“[E]xplain under oath, not through press release, how he disbursed and used the funds for alleged confidential activities. He may want to shed light on the identities of fictional characters who allegedly received confidential funds and the nature of their confidential activities,” Palad told GMA News Online.

By attending the next hearing, Palad said that Lachica can even refute the findings of the  Commission on Audit (COA) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and present his verifiable evidence.

Lachica has expressed intent to address the matter in the proper legal forum.

Madriaga has alleged that drug dealers and Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO) operators were funding the campaign “Inday Sara Duterte is My President (ISIP) Pilipinas.”

In his notarized affidavit, Madriaga also claimed he was ordered by Lachica and Colonel Dennis Nolasco from the OVP to deliver four duffel bags containing up to P35 million each to different individuals.

Madriaga’s affidavit, which he submitted to the Ombudsman last December 2025, became part of the evidence against Duterte in the two impeachment complaints this 2026 that the House justice panel found to be “sufficient in substance.”

Lachica previously denied the accusations linking him to POGO and drug money, saying Madriaga’s claims were “completely baseless.”

Duterte also repeatedly denied having a personal relationship with Madriaga, claiming he only appears to be “acting out of desperation” to secure his release from detention. — RSJ, GMA News