Prosecutor accused of receiving money from Sara Duterte told to explain

The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered Assistant Special Prosecutor Ryan Quilala to answer the allegations of Ramil Madriaga that he received millions of money from Vice President Sara Duterte, Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said Thursday.

Clavano was referring to the allegations Madriaga made during the House justice panel impeachment hearing against the Vice President. 

 “With regards to Attorney Ryan Quilala, the office, through the Internal Affairs Board, had already issued a show cause order for him to explain the allegations that have been exposed not only during the hearing but also in the affidavit of Ramil Madriaga. This is something that we will pursue to make sure that 'yung integrity ng ating opisina ay nandun pa rin,” he said.

(We want to make sure that the integrity of the office remains intact.)

Madriaga made the allegations in a sworn supplemental affidavit that he read during the impeachment proceeding.

“Obviously, it's a grave allegation. It's something that we believe is worth looking into. However, allegations against Atty. Ryan Quilala from our monitoring of the impeachment hearing seems to be much deeper,” Clavano added.

Clavano said that the Ombudsman’s Internal Affairs Board will handle the proceedings on Quilala.

“We will make sure na 'yung mga ganyang kwento, we get to the bottom of it, understand kung ano talaga nangyari, and then we will resolve on that basis,” he added.

(We have to understand what really happened there.)

“There are photos and videos [of Quilala in the Madriaga affidavit], and that is why we issued a show cause order,” Clavano said.

He, however, said Quilala’s tenure in the Ombudsman is not yet affected by Madriaga’s allegations.

“I believe he is coming to the office. We are [just] asking his side or defense with regard to those allegations leveled against him by Madriaga,” Clavano 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.” 

READ: Who is Ramil Madriaga?

Martires has denied receiving money through Madriaga. 

Clavano, however, said Madriaga’s credibility will only be established in due time. 

“The Ombudsman needs to have an opportunity to observe his demeanor when the time comes. Right now, he is showing up in the House…we will allow them to do their questioning first before we come in,” he said. 

“I believe his credibility will be seen once we are able to have a face-to-face with him,” Clavano added.

Further, Clavano said there is no need to simultaneously question Madriaga amid the impeachment hearings, even if there are also related plunder and other criminal complaints filed against the Vice President before the Ombudsman’s office. 

“We don’t want to confuse Mr. Madriaga at this point. So we will have to allow the House to question him first before we talk to him in person,” Clavano added.

In a separate interview, Martires said Madriaga’s inconsistent tales are no evidence, citing the differences in Madriaga’s 2025 affidavit and 2026 supplemental affidavit. 

“In his original affidavit, he said the vehicle used for delivery of the money was Vios and it was being driven by the wife of Atty. Quilala.  Now, he mentioned that it was done in a Red Mazda. What is it, really?,” Martires said in a DZBB Super Radyo interview.

“At sabi niya, binigay niya kay Ombudsman Martires or Ryan Quilala. Sino sa amin ang binigyan niya. Hindi maliwanag sa kanyang supplemental affidavit. So walang ebidensya,” Martires added.

(And he said, he gave the money to Ombudsman Martires or Ryan Quilala. To whom did he really gave the money to? It is unclear in his affidavit. So there is no evidence.)—AOL, GMA News