Mans Carpio files P7.3M lawsuit against Ramil Madriaga, others in impeachment complaint

Atty. Manases “Mans” Carpio has filed a P7.3-million civil lawsuit against Ramil Madriaga and other individuals behind the impeachment complaints against his wife, Vice President Sara Duterte.

The complaint, filed before the Davao City Regional Trial Court on April 29, 2026, was against Madriaga, Joel Saballa, and certain “co-conspirators, confederators, cooperators and connivers.”

In his complaint, Carpio alleged that the respondents conspired to “blacken, degrade, destroy and harm” the political standing of Duterte, and indirectly defamed his “unsullied reputation.”

Carpio also claimed the accusations were part of a coordinated “black propaganda” campaign seeking to disqualify his wife ahead of the 2028 presidential elections.

Duterte’s husband is thus seeking P1 million in actual damages for lost income in his law practice, P3 million in moral damages for “serious anxiety” and “besmirched reputation,” and P3 million in exemplary damages to deter the “malicious weaponization of the impeachment processes.”

He also requested P300,000 for attorney’s fees and litigation expenses.

On Monday, the House of Representatives—for the second straight year—impeached Duterte on allegations of culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, betrayal of public trust, bribery, and other high crimes.

The House of Representatives also voted to impeach Duterte in 2025, but the Supreme Court declared the impeachment void after the High Tribunal found it unconstitutional.

Invented lies?

Carpio also described Madriaga’s allegations as "concocted, coached, and invented lies."

Madriaga, who identified himself as a former aide and alleged bagman of Duterte, alleged that drug dealers and Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO) operators were funding the campaign “Inday Sara Duterte is My President (ISIP) Pilipinas.”

He also claimed that he was ordered by Colonel Dennis Nolasco and Colonel Raymond Lachica to deliver four duffel bags, each containing up to P35 million, to different individuals.

Both the Vice President and Lachica denied the accusations against them.

On March 4, Duterte filed a perjury complaint against Madriaga before the Taguig City Prosecutor’s Office, insisting that “false stories should not be used to confuse the public.”

Madriaga's lawyer, Atty. Raymund Palad said they have not yet received a copy of Carpio's complaint

"We have not received a copy of the complaint, so we cannot make any comment as of this time," Palad said.

ML party-list Rep. Leila de Lima said the suit was "plain harassment against those who filed the impeachment complaint."

"I believe in their cause, and they are just exercising their constitutional duty as concerned citizens. Seryoso ang kanilang mga alegasyon, at naniniwala tayong dapat itong sagutin," De Lima said.

"Hindi ito ang tugon ng walang itinatago. Obviously, this is another act of desperation. Talagang gagawin nila ang lahat ng paraan para ilihis ang usapin ng pananagutan na naduduwag silang harapin. Kung hindi totoo ang mga paratang, humarap na lang sila sa impeachment trial," she added. –NB, GMA News